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Other => Off-topic => Topic started by: jubalix on October 19, 2015, 11:29:42 AM



Title: USB, compromised.
Post by: jubalix on October 19, 2015, 11:29:42 AM
How many of you would consider that USB's are generally all compromised, eg the manufacture will be injecting solid state /  firmware level nasties, either by choice or requested to.

What are the solutions?

Is it back to burning CD/DVDs?


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: achow101 on October 19, 2015, 11:35:30 AM
You could flash your own firmware as people have done for hacking via USB.


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: anthonycamp on October 19, 2015, 11:39:38 AM
no cddvd not a option but blue ray not a option but usb more chips a better oprtion and another plug to come


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: LiteCoinGuy on October 19, 2015, 05:49:18 PM
using several options is my choice: USB, CD, Hardware Wallets, Paper Wallets...


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: dserrano5 on October 19, 2015, 06:41:16 PM
I tend to be attracted to SD cards, although if your computer doesn't feature a reader, you'll probably end up buying an USB reader, thus defeating the purpose.


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: onemorexmr on October 19, 2015, 06:58:03 PM
use qubes
https://www.qubes-os.org/ (https://www.qubes-os.org/)

and configure Anti Evil Maid (http://theinvisiblethings.blogspot.de/2011/09/anti-evil-maid.html)


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: cr1776 on October 19, 2015, 08:05:13 PM
And you definitely don't want to use a previously shared USB as if it has been handed around, it could have picked up stuff along the way too.  (e.g. things like BadUSB).  And of course, beware even of USB cables...   ;)


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: teukon on October 19, 2015, 08:32:04 PM
How many of you would consider that USB's are generally all compromised, eg the manufacture will be injecting solid state /  firmware level nasties, either by choice or requested to.

What are the solutions?

I consider "open source" to be an essential first step.  A Libreboot X200 from minifree.org (http://minifree.org) would be a good base but you might also browse thinkpenguin.com (http://thinkpenguin.com).

There are no perfect solutions but you can easily put worries about USB firmware nasties to bed.


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: unamis76 on October 19, 2015, 09:04:52 PM
I tend to be attracted to SD cards, although if your computer doesn't feature a reader, you'll probably end up buying an USB reader, thus defeating the purpose.

The fact that one's computer doesn't feature a reader doesn't mean one is safe. Some manufacturers base their readers on usb ones, and use the same type of connections.

As for the topic's theme... I simply don't use USB on machines that I cannot risk getting compromised.


Title: Re: USB, compromised.
Post by: codishmumu on October 21, 2015, 10:18:05 PM
I think that....

Usb's are um....useful? I love how every single time you guys talk about computer stuff, I have know idea what you're talking about.