Get the FREE Template How Do Attackers Get Access to the Computers? While the typical culprits are USB flash drives and external hard drives, niche product developments such as the O.MG cable and USBHarpoon have shown that even seemingly innocent devices such as USB cables can be specially-designed with the hardware required to execute a payload when it is connected to a computer.Īny USB device – including USB-powered fans or lights – can be modified to include data transmission and storage capabilities, leaving unsuspecting users to be none-the-wiser that they have become a negligent insider threat thanks to their trust in an unknown USB device. Any USB Device Can Be DangerousĪny unknown USB device should be treated as a vector for an attack from malicious attackers. The payload is malicious software that is designed to perform a set of malicious functions such as leaking sensitive data, installing spyware to stealthily monitor user activity, deleting/corrupting files, or execute a command to install other malware onto the now-compromised system. Malicious actors (aka “black hat” hackers) can use USB devices to stealthily infect computers with malware by executing a “payload” when the USB device is connected. Devices such as the USB Killer, a niche USB device designed to look like a flash drive, rapidly damage sensitive electrical components with rapid charge/discharge cycles when inserted into a USB port. USB devices can be used to transmit malware or even cause physical damage to hardware. By better understanding the potential threat that rogue USB devices can have on endpoint devices and data security, organizations can better defend against this threat. Organizations can suffer detrimental data breaches after their systems become infected with malware following one of their users plugging a rogue USB device into an endpoint device such as their workstation. The ability of USBs to transmit both data and electricity makes them incredibly useful for connecting devices to computers – it also makes them an endpoint security nightmare. Universal Serial Buses (USBs) are incredibly common connectors used in electronic devices such as flash drives, keyboards, external hard drives, desktop fans, and plenty of other devices.
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