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Crypto Discussion Forum => Cryptocurrency discussions => Topic started by: Yamane_Keto on March 05, 2024, 05:07:29 AM

Title: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Yamane_Keto on March 05, 2024, 05:07:29 AM
With the widespread spread of cryptocurrencies around us, we may find many who have invested directly or indirectly in cryptocurrencies, and some of us use our computer that contains some crypto wallets or even use it with hardware wallets, following advice such as using an open source operating system, not downloading random applications, buying Hardware wallets, using a strong password to encrypt the wallet file is necessary, but some of us are random when it comes to USB flash drives or random plug cables, where a friend asks you to charge his phone or send you pictures or movies, or even in university life by sending PDF files.

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.

Many of these tools are not sold as hacking tools, but their design allows hackers to misuse them. Here are some tools that may do this:

1. O.MG cables

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/f768c6d0e9eaa1f8830c6a6af05b134d976edfe5/2023/04/11/ab56abf2-7063-4ebf-97bf-ef40919fe748/img-2766.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)

They look like normal charging cables, but they contain a small computer that can record all your keyboard clicks and can know your Wi-Fi password, or even your wallet password.

2. USBKill devices

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/9f857826c07a0b911616d4b0a9c2585c569402c8/2023/04/11/e646795f-7a40-4a51-b506-b861ce2e70d0/img-2770.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
USBKill devices are little dongles that look like USB flash drives, but instead of storing data, they send circuit-busting electrical charges into the devices they are plugged into.

3. USB Rubber Ducky
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/7a291aceff67b459f7fc2c2f6fe5a1998a520d4e/2024/01/21/88e991cd-1abe-4bb4-a9cc-f54aa1f71ac5/2024-01-21-20-45-33.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
While the tool looks like a regular flash drive, the Rubber Ducky can be programmed to "type" commands into any device it's plugged into.

4. LAN Turtle
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/c2dfda459e09875def0e463e3581d59c2c98e9b4/2024/01/21/87a9d9fd-426d-4a48-af3a-1a61dc1e9a7a/2024-01-21-20-51-06.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)

They may look like an Internet adapter, but they can collect a lot of data about you.


Not only these tools but there are many more, you can find them here https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: MUGNIA on March 05, 2024, 01:24:52 PM

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.



sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: TomPluz on March 05, 2024, 02:22:17 PM

Many of these tools are not sold as hacking tools, but their design allows hackers to misuse them.


In other words, there are things that we normally look at as harmless but can be utilized by creative, evil people as a hacking tool or a gateway towards hacking. Well, am not really surprised because if hackers can be able to breach big crypto exchanges who am sure invested millions on their security, how much more an ordinary guy like you and me? Hackers are always looking for good ways and means to get in and they know how to use the latest technologies to track people and they are just waiting for the right time to victimize unsuspecting personalities. Now, it is good to be forewarned of the new possible means to lose our crypto holdings. What once we might considered to be safe may not be anymore, especially since the stake can be high. I once remember a well-known crypto figure whose wallet was hacked to the tune of multi-million dollar in value. I am sure that guy is not ignorant on safety measures to take but still he was a victim, just like many others.






Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: MrSpasybo on March 05, 2024, 05:47:36 PM
sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,
I think the topic owner wants to talk about the case of a user using a hacked device with the appearance of a USB/Cable.

Usually, inside them are malicious programs that are automatically installed on the user's device, then they steal data and use the internet when connected to send information to hackers. Hackers will then use the private key to take over the user's account.

>> advice: use your own stuff, don't use USD or Cable that we accidentally pick up ^^
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Gyrgen on March 05, 2024, 08:29:21 PM
You can’t buy all these things in a regular store; they have to be specially slipped to you in some way. Therefore, 95% of users should not focus on this and worry about it in any way. There are simpler ways to steal information. The moral is to use good antivirus and firewall, this will greatly increase user security.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Freemind on March 05, 2024, 08:57:16 PM
The best thing we can do when using new devices is not only to use antivirus, something highly recommended in almost all operating systems, but to format them before starting to use them. There are many tools available to do this, although some are better than others. I use the UNIX/Linux terminal to format and I have never had problems of this type. For Windows and macOS there are different tools, one of these tools that stands out the most is HDD Low-Level Format Tool, and it is the best in its field for, for example, formatting USB pendrives. There are many types of malware that antiviruses do not detect since they use heuristic databases that are sometimes not updated.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: BitMaxz on March 05, 2024, 09:21:20 PM
That is why we need to be careful with anything that we buy online there might be some devices out there that look like a cable or a USB drive that record our keystrokes and send them to the hacker silently without AV detecting it.

I am also afraid of Flipper Zero I heard that someone could hack our wifi using Flipper Zero it's a trending tool for hackers. If they have access to our wifi they can also remotely access our devices or send some script randomly without our consent and possibly can able to retrieve data through this tool. So be careful and maybe you have a neighbor who has this kind of tool.  I heard many news about carjackers who use this tool that can also be used to hack our devices once they have access to our wifi.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: vegasus on March 05, 2024, 09:39:35 PM
This is very possible to happen. Is this usually used in public facilities too? I once read news about hacking that occurred at a public charger facility. I don't know if the device is like this or another, but it can also be designed in such a way, right? However, I can't be sure whether it's the same device. I tried to find the source of the news, but still haven't found it. I don't know if this is just news to scare people or not. However, in this case, we need to be alert to various possible crimes. Because after all, we are always targets of crime both in the real world and in cyber crimes.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Yamane_Keto on March 06, 2024, 01:45:26 AM
sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,
Cables such as O.MG cables, which look like a normal charger cable, but they can be used to record keyboard clicks. Then, if this USB is connected and you enter the wallet seed, password, or any sensitive data, it will be recorded and sent to the hackers.
These tools are not manufactured for the purposes of hackers, but they can be misused for that purpose. For example, a friend may ask you to connect one of these cables to your computer, and through them you may be hacked.


Usually, inside them are malicious programs that are automatically installed on the user's device, then they steal data and use the internet when connected to send information to hackers. Hackers will then use the private key to take over the user's account.

It does not necessarily contain malicious programs, and the antivirus may not give you any warnings, but because some of them have access to some permissions, they can misuse those permissions.
Limit yourself to using a charging cable that does not contain additional wires for data transfer, or remove them manually.

(https://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/usb-wiring-connection.jpg)
Pin 2 and 3, leave only the red and black wires.



I am also afraid of Flipper Zero I heard that someone could hack our wifi using Flipper Zero it's a trending tool for hackers. If they have access to our wifi they can also remotely access our devices or send some script randomly without our consent and possibly can able to retrieve data through this tool. So be careful and maybe you have a neighbor who has this kind of tool.
It comes with iButton/NFC/RFID reader/writer/emulator
It is definitely the last thing you would want to connect to your PC.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Kemarit on March 06, 2024, 05:13:07 AM

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.



sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,

For one, you can buy those USB's and cables from an unknown source. And with that it could be laden with viruses and malwares that are pre-installed on those gadgets. And so as you are a unsuspecting victims, you plug it in your machine, and used it then you could be infected by this malwares hidden from those USB.

There was even one trick by a group of hackers that I read wherein they will send USB to victims as a Christmas gift and of course you will be shock but if you left your guards done by just one time and uses it, then it's over for you as they will swept your crypto if you have one in that machine that you used those USB.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Yamane_Keto on March 24, 2024, 11:53:27 PM
I found this

(https://maltronics.com/cdn/shop/products/caseon90_288x288.jpg?v=1605024037)

It is an advanced type of USB Rubber Ducky, where the device recognizes it as a keyboard, but it works in the background to record all the data. It is sold for $60 and some copies have the ability to stream data via Wi-Fi, so it is best to avoid inserting any USB in this way.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: NotATether on March 25, 2024, 12:13:51 PM
This looks like something you copied from my topic (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5484284.msg63621777#msg63621777). Why don't you add a link back to it?
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Yamane_Keto on March 25, 2024, 12:39:37 PM
sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,
I think you mean keylogger, which is a software that records all data as soon as you connect it to your computer, so be careful.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: NotATether on March 25, 2024, 03:33:26 PM
Why don't you add a link back to it?
which part?  ???
I added the source above which is https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/

I see you have used different pictures, but the descriptions look very similar to my text. And also the products are the same as in my topic.

I dunno, it just feels very weird man.  :-\
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: 0t3p0t on March 25, 2024, 03:54:38 PM

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.



sorry, I'm a little confused by the sentence I quoted, how is that? Can you give a detailed description, because this is really the first time I heard, hacking without taking any action using USB and cable tools.
Honestly, I used USB and never thought that it could copy automatically without our actions from someone else's PC,
Maybe he is talking about keylogger. Since if we are trying to use it on public computers there is a high possibility that we might get caught in the hackers trap. But this does not work with me because I personally don't use these on public computers unless it is a reliable one and I am familiar with other than that is for me very risky.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Mr. Allcrypto on March 26, 2024, 10:54:29 PM
With the widespread spread of cryptocurrencies around us, we may find many who have invested directly or indirectly in cryptocurrencies, and some of us use our computer that contains some crypto wallets or even use it with hardware wallets, following advice such as using an open source operating system, not downloading random applications, buying Hardware wallets, using a strong password to encrypt the wallet file is necessary, but some of us are random when it comes to USB flash drives or random plug cables, where a friend asks you to charge his phone or send you pictures or movies, or even in university life by sending PDF files.

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.

Many of these tools are not sold as hacking tools, but their design allows hackers to misuse them. Here are some tools that may do this:

1. O.MG cables

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/f768c6d0e9eaa1f8830c6a6af05b134d976edfe5/2023/04/11/ab56abf2-7063-4ebf-97bf-ef40919fe748/img-2766.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)

They look like normal charging cables, but they contain a small computer that can record all your keyboard clicks and can know your Wi-Fi password, or even your wallet password.

2. USBKill devices

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/9f857826c07a0b911616d4b0a9c2585c569402c8/2023/04/11/e646795f-7a40-4a51-b506-b861ce2e70d0/img-2770.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
USBKill devices are little dongles that look like USB flash drives, but instead of storing data, they send circuit-busting electrical charges into the devices they are plugged into.

3. USB Rubber Ducky
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/7a291aceff67b459f7fc2c2f6fe5a1998a520d4e/2024/01/21/88e991cd-1abe-4bb4-a9cc-f54aa1f71ac5/2024-01-21-20-45-33.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
While the tool looks like a regular flash drive, the Rubber Ducky can be programmed to "type" commands into any device it's plugged into.

4. LAN Turtle
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/c2dfda459e09875def0e463e3581d59c2c98e9b4/2024/01/21/87a9d9fd-426d-4a48-af3a-1a61dc1e9a7a/2024-01-21-20-51-06.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)




They may look like an Internet adapter, but they can collect a lot of data about you.


Not only these tools but there are many more, you can find them here https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/

Wow thanks for this information, I had no idea about this before, I am still surprised, because I use these cables almost everyday in a cyber Cafe where I used to work before but I did not know that they can do this, I will do more research about this...
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Penlex_Writer on March 27, 2024, 02:33:54 PM
With the widespread spread of cryptocurrencies around us, we may find many who have invested directly or indirectly in cryptocurrencies, and some of us use our computer that contains some crypto wallets or even use it with hardware wallets, following advice such as using an open source operating system, not downloading random applications, buying Hardware wallets, using a strong password to encrypt the wallet file is necessary, but some of us are random when it comes to USB flash drives or random plug cables, where a friend asks you to charge his phone or send you pictures or movies, or even in university life by sending PDF files.

You think that as long as you do not open a USB flash drive file or run an antivirus or do not install these files, you are safe, but some of them are able to logs your keystrokes or even copy some files from your computer without your permission.

Many of these tools are not sold as hacking tools, but their design allows hackers to misuse them. Here are some tools that may do this:

1. O.MG cables

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/f768c6d0e9eaa1f8830c6a6af05b134d976edfe5/2023/04/11/ab56abf2-7063-4ebf-97bf-ef40919fe748/img-2766.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)

They look like normal charging cables, but they contain a small computer that can record all your keyboard clicks and can know your Wi-Fi password, or even your wallet password.

2. USBKill devices

(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/9f857826c07a0b911616d4b0a9c2585c569402c8/2023/04/11/e646795f-7a40-4a51-b506-b861ce2e70d0/img-2770.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
USBKill devices are little dongles that look like USB flash drives, but instead of storing data, they send circuit-busting electrical charges into the devices they are plugged into.

3. USB Rubber Ducky
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/7a291aceff67b459f7fc2c2f6fe5a1998a520d4e/2024/01/21/88e991cd-1abe-4bb4-a9cc-f54aa1f71ac5/2024-01-21-20-45-33.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
While the tool looks like a regular flash drive, the Rubber Ducky can be programmed to "type" commands into any device it's plugged into.

4. LAN Turtle
(https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/c2dfda459e09875def0e463e3581d59c2c98e9b4/2024/01/21/87a9d9fd-426d-4a48-af3a-1a61dc1e9a7a/2024-01-21-20-51-06.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)

They may look like an Internet adapter, but they can collect a lot of data about you.


Not only these tools but there are many more, you can find them here https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-hacking-tools-that-look-harmless-but-can-do-real-damage/

I know that the O.M.G cable is sometimes used for hacking function and so  personally, I am not dumbfounded to know the harm it can cause to your crypto but I am a bit skeptical about the others. It will be a nice idea to make this information get to a wider audience.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: joniboini on March 27, 2024, 05:19:43 PM
because I use these cables almost everyday in a cyber Cafe where I used to work before but I did not know that they can do this, I will do more research about this...
Which cable are you referring to? Are you saying your cyber cafe has pen-testing tools lying around? Did you confuse regular USB cables with the tools mentioned by OP? It would be weird if your cyber cafe used pen testing cables in every device though, I'd assume they are doing some secret government work or something similar if that was the case. These tools are expensive compared to your usual $5 cables, not to mention you should probably avoid plugging USB into your air-gapped device without any preparation. CMIIW.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: Freemind on March 29, 2024, 08:31:47 PM
Which cable are you referring to? Are you saying your cyber cafe has pen-testing tools lying around? Did you confuse regular USB cables with the tools mentioned by OP? It would be weird if your cyber cafe used pen testing cables in every device though, I'd assume they are doing some secret government work or something similar if that was the case. These tools are expensive compared to your usual $5 cables, not to mention you should probably avoid plugging USB into your air-gapped device without any preparation. CMIIW.

You'd be surprised how many Internet cafes and other types of Internet-related businesses, where any user can use a terminal, use penetration testing tools. The curious thing about these cases is that there are times when managers also do not know that their terminals have been infected on purpose to obtain all kinds of customer information. The software most commonly used by attackers are Keyloggers, to obtain passwords for all kinds of services. The same goes for free internet hotspots, the information is stored with the logins of users using any type of service.
Title: Re: How to lose your crypto by simply connecting a USB flash drive
Post by: robelneo on March 30, 2024, 04:06:03 PM
Which cable are you referring to? Are you saying your cyber cafe has pen-testing tools lying around? Did you confuse regular USB cables with the tools mentioned by OP? It would be weird if your cyber cafe used pen testing cables in every device though, I'd assume they are doing some secret government work or something similar if that was the case. These tools are expensive compared to your usual $5 cables, not to mention you should probably avoid plugging USB into your air-gapped device without any preparation. CMIIW.

You'd be surprised how many Internet cafes and other types of Internet-related businesses, where any user can use a terminal, use penetration testing tools. The curious thing about these cases is that there are times when managers also do not know that their terminals have been infected on purpose to obtain all kinds of customer information. The software most commonly used by attackers are Keyloggers, to obtain passwords for all kinds of services. The same goes for free internet hotspots, the information is stored with the logins of users using any type of service.

After I became involved in Cryptocurrency I stopped using Internet cafes and public Wifi, I just feel that because of the creation of Cryptocurrency hacking has become a lucrative business, and where else can they easily hack accounts, passwords, or private keys but on Internet cafes, hackers are taking their chance on every computer users.
I'm not saying that Internet cafe operators are hackers but some of them are involved in hacking because they own the network, they can install anything.
So if you're involved in Cryptocurrency be aware of how hackers do their things, you are your own bank so protect your investment by being educated.