While the days of the floppy disc, which could infect your computer, may be a distant memory, there is a new risk that is hovering over your PC's safety — the USB Killer, and it can fry your device in a blink.
You have probably heard of the USB Killer that can destroy computers (and is available for purchase for $56). One merely needs to plug it in and it will fire up a massive surge of power through the PC's motherboard to fry the hardware.
Now thanks to YouTube user Thomas Kim, you can make your very own homemade USB Killer stick. You can create the thumb drive that will have the same effect as the original USB Killer.
This can be done by using an AA battery and a camera flash and will generate nearly 300 volts of power when plugged into a PC.
What Is The Homemade USB Killer Capable Of?
Kim shared the four-minute DIY video on YouTube on Monday, Nov. 7, and warns that the device will "kill the computer instantly."
The gadget that essentially destroys the circuitry of any PC was made by Kim using a disposable camera flash as well as a single AA battery. The device can be plugged into any computer and Kim demonstrated its capabilities by plugging it into a desktop.
How Did The USB Stick React When Put To Test On The MacBook Pro, Google Pixel And More?
The DIY homemade USB stick was put to test by the folks at EverythingApplePro who pitted the USB Killer against devices such as the new MacBook Pro and the Google Pixel. What happened, you ask?
"USB Killer Instantly KILLS New MacBook Pro, Google Pixel, Galaxy Note 7 & Tested on iPad Pro, iPhone 2G, GoPro 5 & More Tech," reveals the YouTube video description.
Lenovo ThinkPad
That's right, the homemade USB Killer was plugged into the Lenovo ThinkPad in the experiment and it was instantly dead. The USB Killer was unplugged from the laptop but it remained the same — dead. Basically, the USB Killer acts as a power capacitator and kills the logic board.
Galaxy Note 7
The USB Killer was plugged into the tester unit and put into the portable battery. It was later plugged into the Galaxy Note 7 which went dead.
iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs And iPhone 2G
The iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs and iPhone 2G were immune and as the tester opined it was because the power was not supplied to the devices.
GoPro 5
The GoPro 5 was also immune to the USB Killer.
Google Pixel
When the USB Killer was plugged in without the phone being setup, nothing happened. The Google Pixel remained immune.
However, with the official adapter used on the smartphone and the USB Killer plugged in, the Google Pixel went dead.
MacBook Pro 2016
When the USB Killer was plugged into the new MacBook Pro, it destroyed the device!
New iPad Pro
The iPad Pro's display went into a crazy loop once the USB Killer was inserted. However, the tablet was still alive and powered on even though it was affected. It survived with flying colors.
Check out the YouTube video showing the cheaper USB Killer in action below.
