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Life & fun · September 10, 2016

USB Killer

This USB drive will kill your computer 💻💀

USB Killer launched on September 10, 2016 with 252 votes, #85 of 3,744 launches that month and more than 95% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 10 years on.

Visit usbkill.com ↗USB Killer alternativestop 2% of September 2016

In plain words

USB Killer is a USB device designed to demonstrate the power surge vulnerability found in many electronics with USB connections. It exploits the lack of protective circuitry on unshielded power and data lines that manufacturers often omit to reduce costs. The device is intended for security researchers and hardware enthusiasts who want to test their devices' resilience to electrical attacks and understand common manufacturing vulnerabilities.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

The USB Power Surge vulnerability is a common flaw in products with USB connections. To save money, manufacturers do not protect the power or data lines of devices, which leaves them open to attack.

The USBKill, or USB Killer is a device used by pentesters, industrial clients and law-enforcement world-wide to perform security checks against power surge attacks on USB ports. USBKill.com is manufacturer of the USB Kill device, USBKill Shield - which defends against USB Attacks like a USB Condom & other accessories

The most powerful USBKill ever. New unstoppable attack modes. Remote controlled. The ultimate pentesting device. Stronger discharge, unlimited run time, bypasses all USB-C & Lightning security. Smart-phone, BLE Remote Control, Time-delay, Hidden Magnet Trigger and Classic. 15+ Adaptors, including: USB-C, iPhone, VGA, DisplayPort, HDMI, MicroUSB & more. Internal Rechargable battery means the USBKill V4 even on devices that are switched off. The USBKill is a device that stress tests hardware . When plugged in power is taken from a USB-Port, multiplied, and discharged into the data-lines, typically disabling an unprotected device. Watch the V4 Pro tested against a 2020 Macbook Pro, iPhone 11,…from usbkill.com

Does a similar job

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  • USB Condom2014 · crowdsupply.com · ▲92

    A protective barrier between your device and hackers

  • USB Condoms2013 · int3.cc · ▲71

    power-only USB pass-thrus for security

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    USB PD Stand-Alone Sink Controller2019 · blog.oxplot.com · ▲124
  • BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable2016 · griffintechnology.com · ▲426

    Griffin's safe charging solution for the new MacBook Pro

  • CLI forensics tool for tracking USB device artifacts on Linux2019 · github.com · ▲136

    Tracking history of USB events on GNU/Linux. Contribute to snovvcrash/usbrip development by creating an account on GitHub.

  • Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay – Bridge Bluetooth Devices to USB2024 · github.com · ▲233

    Hi HN! I built Bluetooth USB Peripheral Relay, a tool that lets Bluetooth devices (like keyboards and mice) connect to USB-only hosts using a Raspberry Pi Zero W. Why? My friend needed a way to use his Bluetooth mouse and keyboard on a PC with Bluetooth disabled due to policy restrictions. This tool acts as a bridge, relaying Bluetooth input over USB. It also lets you use Bluetooth peripherals with older devices that only support USB input. Tech: Written in Go, optimized for Raspberry Pi Zero W. I love HN’s community and often lurk here—I’m hoping this project is useful or at least sparks…

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