Another thread was discussing an EU demand for usb-c capability and reminded me of something I ran across recently. Most of us know to stay away from stray or unknown origin usb thumb drives. Well here’s another nightmare for your IT crowd. This cable can remotely send your keystrokes to another device and allow that other device to control your device. It looks pretty much like the standard 1 meter cable that comes with your new iPhone. See the add here

Are there no limits to what people will go to ? Crazy.

Thanks for the heads up.

I prefer the USB-C over the USB Mini by far.

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

I prefer the USB-C over the USB Mini by far.

My observation is that USB mini is just about dead. The only device that I have that uses the mini, is my Garmin GPS / dash camera. It's not that easy to even find USB mini cables any more.

The USB micro is far more common than the mini. I see, and I own, many devices that use the micro. Kindle readers prior to the latest version, rechargeable flashlights, rechargeable power banks, etc., these things are all over the place, but USB mini devices are much less common.

Wife: "Why did we spend $50 for a 'rubber ducky'"

me: "because it pretends to be a USB drive, but really it is a keyboard that when auto inserted, can drop a payload on the target system and grab passwords and such as a backdoor keyboard."

also me: "oh, hey I got you that new USB cable you were wanting . . ."

Why can't a cable just be a cable?

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Why can't a cable just be a cable?

It is, until it isn't.

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Why can't a cable just be a cable?

It is, until it isn't.

Actually, in a sense, even non-nefarious USB-C cables aren't just a cable.

USB-C cables that use the USB 2.0 protocol and don't do high-power charging have an internal resistor across a couple of the pins to tell the devices they're plugged into that they're USB 2.0 cables.

USB-C cables that use the USB 3.1 protocol or do high-power charging (USB PD - "Power Delivery") have itty-bitty computer chips in them that talk to the devices they're plugged into and tell them what data transmission speeds and charging voltage/current values the cable is rated for.

quote:

USB-C cables that use the USB 3.1 protocol or do high-power charging (USB PD - "Power Delivery") have itty-bitty computer chips in them that talk to the devices they're plugged into and tell them what data transmission speeds and charging voltage/current values the cable is rated for.

So you’re saying it doesn’t require eye of newt or any special incantations to make this work? Just a chip?