Ten years and $ 250.000 fine for destroying up to 66 computers with a USB Killer

Up to 10 years in jail and a $ 250.000 fine for a student who destroyed a large amount of equipment using a USB Killer.

For a time USB Killer became quite popular as a way to destroy systems. These devices have an external format the same as any other USB, but internally they are very different. A 27-year-old former student at The College of St. Rose private school in New York used it to destroy equipment. This former student pleaded guilty to dozens of computers, monitors and other equipment at the school. The school valued at $ 58.000 using one of these USB Killer.

Student who destroyed computers with a USB Killer, found guilty

According to the United States Department of Justice, Vishwanath Akuthota, a student with a visa in the country, recorded himself with an iPhone while connecting the USB Killer in 66 computers and other systems. Court documents indicate that the recorded video was later uploaded to Scribd to show off his work. The video shows Akuthota connecting the USB Killer to all the devices with comments such as: “He's dead” or “He's gone. Boom ”

USB Killer, a mass system destroyer

Operating the USB Killer externally is like any other external storage USB drive. The unit when connected to a USB, charges the capacitors up to 200V. When it is finished loading it is suddenly downloaded saturating all the data lines. A process that is carried out several times per second until the entire system is short-circuited.

It is not difficult to acquire one of these devices, they can be easily purchased on the internet for approximately 60 euros. The developers of this device indicate that it is recorded to test USB ports against power surge attacks.

“Thanks to our customers, the USB Killer has been legally tested on hundreds of different devices, revealing which manufacturers have taken steps to protect their customers. The objective of legal tests is to raise awareness, forcing manufacturers to protect their customers, ”the company indicates.

This device really has a fair use and the manufacturers of this unit have prominent clients such as Cisco, Microsoft, Panasonic or Samsung. It does not mean that this unit can be used for evil causing damage to the system. They have USB Killer, the ability to overload 95% of consumer devices with USB. This problem even affects electric vehicles.

Unprecedented harsh sentence

Vishwanath Akuthota faces a possible 250.000-year prison sentence and a $ 12 fine. It will be next August XNUMX when the sentence of the case will be known.

Source: PCG