A USB?Killer (sometimes called a USB?Kill or USB?Destruction Device) is
a small, plug?in gadget that looks like an ordinary USB flash drive or power adapter but is designed to damage or destroy the electronics it?s connected to.

How it works:

Power?line attack ? When you insert the device into a USB port, it draws
power from the host?s 5?V line and then rapidly switches that voltage on
and off at very high frequencies (often tens of kilohertz).

Voltage spikes ? The rapid switching creates large voltage spikes that can exceed the normal 5?V tolerance of USB circuitry, sometimes reaching tens or even hundreds of volts.

Component failure ? Those spikes travel through the host?s
power?distribution network, frying voltage regulators, USB controllers, motherboard traces, and any downstream devices (e.g., hubs, keyboards, mice).

Typical specifications (vary by model)
Output voltage (spike) 30?V???200?V
Pulse frequency 10?kHz???100?kHz

Attack duration: A few seconds to a minute (enough to cause irreversible damage) Power draw Up to the maximum the host USB port can supply (often
500?mA for USB?2.0, 900?mA for USB?3.0)

Why people build/use them:
Security research as well as/ penetration testing ? To demonstrate the physical?layer vulnerabilities of USB?powered devices and motivate better hardware protection.
Malicious intent: As a covert sabotage tool (e.g., in corporate espionage, vandalism, or ?hardware ransomware?).
Curiosity / hobbyist experimentation ? Some makers enjoy building the circuit as a learning project about high?voltage electronics.

Risks and legal considerations

Permanent damage - A USB?Killer can render a computer, laptop, or
peripheral unusable, often requiring component replacement or a full board swap.

Safety hazards ? The high?voltage pulses can pose a shock risk if the
device is mishandled, especially when the host is powered on.

Illegality ? Deliberately destroying someone else?s equipment is typically illegal (property damage, vandalism, or computer?crime statutes) in most jurisdictions. Using a USB?Killer without explicit permission can lead to criminal charges and civil liability.
Warranty void ? Damage caused by a USB?Killer is almost certainly not
covered by manufacturer warranties.

Mitigations
Physical port control ? Disable unused USB ports in BIOS/UEFI, use lockable
port covers, or physically block access.
Data?only cables ? Use cables that omit the power pins (or use data?only adapters) for devices that don?t need power from the host.
USB?port security devices ? Some enterprise solutions provide inline surge protectors or ?USB firewalls? that monitor for abnormal voltage patterns
and cut power when an attack is detected.

Awareness & policy ? Educate users not to plug unknown USB devices into trusted machines; enforce a ?no?unknown?USB? policy in secure environments.

Bottom line:
A USB?Killer is a deliberately destructive USB accessory that injects high?voltage spikes into a host?s power rail, causing rapid and often irreversible hardware failure. While it can be a useful demonstration tool for security researchers, its malicious potential and the legal ramifications of unauthorized use mean it should be handled with extreme caution?and, in most contexts, avoided altogether.

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