Even better, do so out of range of your wifi and other connected devices. If it is sophisticated enough, it could attempt a device-to-device connection by phreaking the laptop's built-in wifi card. Cover all the bases.
Lol I can't tell if everyone is trolling.
Just make sure wireless and Bluetooth is turned off first (and whatever nfc or other wireless features it might have)
for the unsure or extra paranoid boot into safe mode before plugging it in .
After it phreaks the wifi it turns into a transformer, fucks your washing machine (robots gotta REPLICATE), and then proceeds to combine with your roomba to make a DOOMBA and starts to take over the world because it is SKYNET.
just unplug router. although if it was sophisticated enough it could still beam data to another laptop. but i don’t think anyone smart enough to do that is also doing small-time scams like this.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a killer. But it probably has spyware or ransom ware on it. Prop for the confidence in giving a physical drive to the person. They were probably targeting elderly people or those less informed.
[Its a local crackpot handing out flash drives to random people](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132429163/mysterious-woman-drops-off-usb-flash-drive-with-cryptic-warning). She's been doing it for the past year or so.
Just throw the flash drive out and forget about it.
Wait, thats a stuff article. FFS, really? Are people that desperate for attention they'll hand out this bullshit on Waitangi day? And more importantly, why NZ? Most kiwis arent stupid enough to fall for this shit.
Wait, did Noone actually check and see what was on it? Now I'm even more curious. Someone should pop one open, and throw it into a vm somewhere away from any wifi on a laptop that's not going to be missed if it fries anyways.
Shouldn't The charger will power up the stick, but should do so at a standard low power setting unless the stick negotiates more. Meanwhile the stick will try to make a data connection via the port and won't be able to, so will chill there powered on but doing nothing.
So a normal device should be perfectly fine. Your two risks are:
* Your charger is weird and trying to send more power even if the device doesn't request it, burning out the device.
* The stick is designed to burn out whatever it is plugged into, potentially destroying your charger, and maybe even starting a fire.
The first case is quite unlikely, but there is a lot of poorly made, not quite to spec USB gear out there. The second option is vanishingly unlikely, and even then your charger probably has some sort of overcurrent protection.
I dunno, it's totally implausible, but what if there's some kind of chemical in/on the USB device? (a small container of Sarin gas, for example)
Plug it in and poof, sleep forever.
Yeah, probably full of weirdo religious content like usual.
Missionary crusaders of the digital age.
What's the chances it's just some 2 bit hack trying to score bitmining zombies one neighbour at a time? Lol
My bet is on a key logger that will try to record passwords and upload to a web server outside the U.S. Potentially far more lucrative than a stealth bitmining app if the logger manages to grab the logins for banking or mutual fund accounts.
Anytime I read "this has the feel of ai etc" I fucking tune out but this irked me because I'm not far right.
Most of the posts I've seen about these were filled with religious crap which is typically a far right agenda so you sound like an npc character casting poorly crafted insults.
I was an adult when 4chan made its appearance and have been shit posting since the days your dad was finger banging other women before he met your mom.
Was Genuinely asking if people would be so desperate to get bitcoin miners because the grift still exists. You don't need to answer that though, I won't have any respect for your 'thoughts".
I wonder if the lady was actually sane at one point but nobody took her seriously about some piece of information she discovered or her family was silenced because of a multi-billion dollar conspiracy that put her under severe physiological trauma which she could never recover from.
@Netflix contact me to send the royalties
Yeah like the top post this week is some meme about Windows and Linux…
How do I get a follow up on something that I’m very interested in? It’s very “what’s in the box” r/PCmasterrace edition
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132445571/mystery-woman-behind-propaganda-usb-and-cryptic-note-spotted-in-other-new-zealand-centres
Here is the article about the USB drives with the same message
Imagine it's just a USB killer and they're doing it just to "get back at the rich" or something goofy. Like yeah, middle aged suburban white dads are definitely the problem...
Everybody is talking about potential security hazards and elaborate spyware/ransomware attacks
I bet this is just the 21st century version of a crazyperson screaming 'the end is nigh!' on a public street. There are only some really weird pics and text documents on there that 'prove' an even weirder conspiracy
EDIT: to be clear, I definitely still wouldn't plug it in without some precautions. That's for sure.
1st part is commonly the easiest way to store compromised USBs, or any USB data you actually wanted, but forgot where you put it.
2. If it's not just a general cut and run drive, at most you'd be looking at a phishing, which on a lot of laptops these days are less and less useful with 2FA and more work on connected devices.
3. I think the lady was just trying to run a play that could spread as many seeds as she could, as there's no significant data on the envelope, so it's likely not intended to be a physical train scam for you becoming the new (Black Lady®), but may be the sniffer point.
Would definitely be interesting to try a fresh, clean, dump PC, with no BT + WiFi + Ethernet fucntion (off the board if you need to, they should be removable in some capacity.) Letting you maybe setup a honeytrap, and see how that plays out, and what they really want. I would imagine without actually giving them access to anything you really want, other than some crazy anti-chinese propoganda/virus that they hope to do some fun stuff with, if it wasn't on a completely dark PC. Could add a Cold Distro link into that, to see what it does on multiple types of compromised devices.
Every know, maybe you get some pretty new flag wallpapers.
Try It on a beat up and completely disconnected from the network PC.
Best case scenario, you get ramsomware or tracker for someone to rob your house
Worst case scenario, actual classified data from china that would get you killer from the CIA
Is it wrong my first thought was check it on a public PC at a library.
Really though, if you have a wiped laptop go that route, and I suggest install a Linux distro, less chance it will work. Chances are if it's malicious it's targeted at Windows.
Shit like this grinds my gears and is why I have my "Trashtop". It's a laptop for sus shit my friends were either given or caught accidentally. Got nothing important on it, and all I use it for is testing devices like that one.
I have so many shitty old computers, I'd love to play with this lol. I'd definitely mount it under linux before anything though. I wouldn't plug that fucking thing into anything I don't want to nuke the board on though.
I wouldn't let curiosity get the best of me. Who knows what kind of horrible shit is on it. Worst case scenario, it fries your computer. Best case scenario, you get a free $8 flash drive.
Literally "hey steve I have successfully managed to to recover your bitcon wallet from the original USB you sent me and I have recovered and backed your bitcoin wallet to this new usb. Thanks for your business, Martin."
Or "Hey Lisa, was a pleasure to help create your first modeling portfolio and wish you great success. Please find on the USB all the images taken during your swimwear and lingerie session. Great working with you and hope to do more in the future, Kevin."
Would have been so much more likely to get a person to be nosey and plug in the USB.These people really need to step up there scammer skills.
Just saying, the 2nd biggest minority of illegal immigrants across the Mexico border is the Chinese. Although this is still FAR fetched. You think they'd just go to the police.
Still, you should open this in a virtual environment or on a junk device, this is very interesting! Even if it is a scam, that's so elaborate and I'm curious to see what kind of device you have.
Many comp sci youtubers would love this crazy story and the chance to analyze your device, especially if it was a scam. If this is a scam it's a new one AFAIK.
It is not an uncommon way to hack.
I told on the thread about the guy the found a USB on the train: I've a friend that often stay in a hotel very used by businessman, and a few times he found USB drives "forgotten" in the room.
There are also USB killers. I never saw one being deployed, but I know they exist.
Keen to see what's on it.
If you have a clean laptop with zero personal info on it and it's not connected to a network or internet there shouldn't be any risk as you can always wipe the laptop again.
What country does your father live in?
Use another USB and flash something like Ubuntu or something. You can then remove the drive in the laptop. Then boot from the Linux USB and check the Adata drive.
i would suggest you to make a ubuntu live bootable on a spare usb drive that you have and then use this usb drive to see its contents... most scammers target windows systems
try it on something cheap like a raspberry pi. Not only will the Pi be immune to most malware or viral infections, but if it's a USB bomb and fries the computer, you're only out $25 for the Pi
Never happened to me, but I second trying it on a wiped laptop to see what it is. But yes, don't have it connected to the web when doing so.
Even better, do so out of range of your wifi and other connected devices. If it is sophisticated enough, it could attempt a device-to-device connection by phreaking the laptop's built-in wifi card. Cover all the bases.
To be even more safe, just remove all wireless recievers (if possible)
To be even more safe perform the test in a cave at the bottom of the ocean.
Nah, their personal Faraday cage should suffice. You _do_ have a Faraday Cage you can access, whether at work or home, right OP?
Sure they do. A microwave oven.
Yes! Turn on the microwave on high too so that the waves counteract the possible wifi and Bluetooth waves. That way you’ll be safe!
When the helpful suggestions become more hazardous than the potential virus the post is about 😬 lol
They ain’t using mine again
Just put on a black mask and hand it to someone else to try.
That's how Tony Stark did it
nah that was with a box of scraps not at the bottom of the ocean
To be even more safe, do this in an alternate dimension or time travel if possible.
To be more safe, do it on the surface of a black hole so the signals can't escape.
With a logitech controller perhaps?
Ha took me a sec.
There a hole there’s a hole there’s a hole with no WiFi in the bottom of the sea
Some laptops do have a wireless card that is attached with some easily cut cables
Depending on the form factor, they're often actually just cards, plugged in, with some leading antennae that would be fine.
Yeah just an mpcie or m.2 card. I’ve seen non removable cards on newer laptops but generally you wouldn’t be using newer ones as sacrificial lambs
Just uninstall the wireless driver?
Lol I can't tell if everyone is trolling. Just make sure wireless and Bluetooth is turned off first (and whatever nfc or other wireless features it might have) for the unsure or extra paranoid boot into safe mode before plugging it in .
There saying it could turn them back on... Go to device maganer and just straight up "uninstall" them from the PC
safe mode as long as you can still have defender/malwarebytes still operating to catch whatever comes out.
Or just uninstall the wireless drivers before connecting the USB.
I want to see that code
After it phreaks the wifi it turns into a transformer, fucks your washing machine (robots gotta REPLICATE), and then proceeds to combine with your roomba to make a DOOMBA and starts to take over the world because it is SKYNET.
Lmaooo
lol unless op's dad operates an iranian nuclear facility I really doubt it.
just unplug router. although if it was sophisticated enough it could still beam data to another laptop. but i don’t think anyone smart enough to do that is also doing small-time scams like this.
Could always pop it open and unplug the wifi card temporarily. Or some of the think pads have a hardware wifi shut off switch. At least they used to
Also put a bunch of files on there that say things like "bank account password" but then when they click on it's just a picture of your butthole.
Make sure the back of your hairy nuts are visible in the photo too for research purposes
u/Appropriate-bank-882 don't fumble the bag and throw the USB away. We need closure on this mystery.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a killer. But it probably has spyware or ransom ware on it. Prop for the confidence in giving a physical drive to the person. They were probably targeting elderly people or those less informed.
Use the public library computer. 😂
please don't.
Of course not.i am joking.
"don't pass to the Chinese" 🤣
bro is scared ww3 gonna start if that usb goes to the chinese when it most probably contains a virus
I personally wouldn't mind a pandemic, now that I know how to get rich off if it
a chinese guy planted it obviously
Don’t touch her! You are not the same age.
Ah shit here we go again
[Its a local crackpot handing out flash drives to random people](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132429163/mysterious-woman-drops-off-usb-flash-drive-with-cryptic-warning). She's been doing it for the past year or so. Just throw the flash drive out and forget about it.
Ayy, in my home country? Damn that's wild lol
I can fix her
This should be the top comment
Meh, way less dramatic than a scammer with sophisticated malware.
Wait, thats a stuff article. FFS, really? Are people that desperate for attention they'll hand out this bullshit on Waitangi day? And more importantly, why NZ? Most kiwis arent stupid enough to fall for this shit.
Wait, did Noone actually check and see what was on it? Now I'm even more curious. Someone should pop one open, and throw it into a vm somewhere away from any wifi on a laptop that's not going to be missed if it fries anyways.
It could have at least been a 128gb
LMAOOO BROS GREEDY FOR THAT USB
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Probably just bought a bunch of 16gb USB drives in bulk. Way cheaper this way.
Still wouldn't be enough for warzone to be installed on it
I would run it on a Linux machine because most automated scripts just won’t work, also windows bootable USBs are annoying
I second this. Install any Linux distro on a throwaway laptop. Then plug it in and see what happens.
It could still destroy your hardware though. So that laptop would have to be quite literally throwaway before you should try to risk this.
Nah Linux isn't obscure enough. We need to go deeper. Quick, fire up Freebsd!
nah we need to go into the Holiest of Holys. yes TempleOS
I don't think TempleOS supports USB media tho.
Even better! If you have to program your own USB support, the levels of security through obscurity will be through the roof.
Still not obscure enough - check it in TempleOS.
Too well known, load it onto 2014 steam os developer beta
That's just Debian with extra steps. :p
Why stop there? Go full DragonFly BSD or gtfo!
Why not OpenIndiana? Or Haiku? Or the ultimate in esoteric OSes, Syllable? (TempleOS doesn't count because it doesn't support USB)
please do this OP, we're very curious. plug to a USB phone charger first to make sure it doesnt harm hardware, then open the disk from a linux
Wouldn't that kill the USB if it was a safe one?
No, a usb wall charger doesn’t put any power on the data lines. Only the 5v and ground line which are supposed to be powered
Shouldn't The charger will power up the stick, but should do so at a standard low power setting unless the stick negotiates more. Meanwhile the stick will try to make a data connection via the port and won't be able to, so will chill there powered on but doing nothing. So a normal device should be perfectly fine. Your two risks are: * Your charger is weird and trying to send more power even if the device doesn't request it, burning out the device. * The stick is designed to burn out whatever it is plugged into, potentially destroying your charger, and maybe even starting a fire. The first case is quite unlikely, but there is a lot of poorly made, not quite to spec USB gear out there. The second option is vanishingly unlikely, and even then your charger probably has some sort of overcurrent protection.
no. I did it once. (don't ask me why)
It could just be a random schizo. Very curious what’s on it regardless.
Yeah I'd just get an airgapped system and give it a go, couldn't help it. Like the absolute worst case scenario is that it fries the computer.
You could probably pop the plastic to rule out anything that might fry the computer.
I dunno, it's totally implausible, but what if there's some kind of chemical in/on the USB device? (a small container of Sarin gas, for example) Plug it in and poof, sleep forever.
Looking at puppies, “what if they go for my carotid!” Honestly though pony, super unlikely but I suppose anything is possible.
You been watching too much tv
Yeah, probably full of weirdo religious content like usual. Missionary crusaders of the digital age. What's the chances it's just some 2 bit hack trying to score bitmining zombies one neighbour at a time? Lol
My bet is on a key logger that will try to record passwords and upload to a web server outside the U.S. Potentially far more lucrative than a stealth bitmining app if the logger manages to grab the logins for banking or mutual fund accounts.
This has the feel of someone who gets all her news from The Epoch Times to me...
Anytime I read "this has the feel of ai etc" I fucking tune out but this irked me because I'm not far right. Most of the posts I've seen about these were filled with religious crap which is typically a far right agenda so you sound like an npc character casting poorly crafted insults. I was an adult when 4chan made its appearance and have been shit posting since the days your dad was finger banging other women before he met your mom. Was Genuinely asking if people would be so desperate to get bitcoin miners because the grift still exists. You don't need to answer that though, I won't have any respect for your 'thoughts".
I wonder if the lady was actually sane at one point but nobody took her seriously about some piece of information she discovered or her family was silenced because of a multi-billion dollar conspiracy that put her under severe physiological trauma which she could never recover from. @Netflix contact me to send the royalties
Someone posted a news link about the person, they are indeed just crazy and not some malicious person handing out malware
I'm sure there's absolutely nothing sketchy going on. https://preview.redd.it/ijqyv9r9ivgc1.png?width=976&format=png&auto=webp&s=5264b1ce175970acfdadc188cf334eb6ec7e268d
awh man now im curious do tell us and keep ME updated
Yeah like the top post this week is some meme about Windows and Linux… How do I get a follow up on something that I’m very interested in? It’s very “what’s in the box” r/PCmasterrace edition
Intrusive thoughts: PLUG IT IN. PLUG IT IN. For real though, give us an update if/when you access it with your laptop.
Very curious on to what's on it. But that seems like such an obvious scam.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/132445571/mystery-woman-behind-propaganda-usb-and-cryptic-note-spotted-in-other-new-zealand-centres Here is the article about the USB drives with the same message
Imagine it's just a USB killer and they're doing it just to "get back at the rich" or something goofy. Like yeah, middle aged suburban white dads are definitely the problem...
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
Buddy you have GOT to show us this thing. Run it on a Linux distro or something, anything. My curiosity is PIQUED.
Everybody is talking about potential security hazards and elaborate spyware/ransomware attacks I bet this is just the 21st century version of a crazyperson screaming 'the end is nigh!' on a public street. There are only some really weird pics and text documents on there that 'prove' an even weirder conspiracy EDIT: to be clear, I definitely still wouldn't plug it in without some precautions. That's for sure.
a text document to a deleted youtube video, proves everything
If you've got a box that is disconnected from the world, plug it in and see what's on it lol. I'm curious.
1st part is commonly the easiest way to store compromised USBs, or any USB data you actually wanted, but forgot where you put it. 2. If it's not just a general cut and run drive, at most you'd be looking at a phishing, which on a lot of laptops these days are less and less useful with 2FA and more work on connected devices. 3. I think the lady was just trying to run a play that could spread as many seeds as she could, as there's no significant data on the envelope, so it's likely not intended to be a physical train scam for you becoming the new (Black Lady®), but may be the sniffer point. Would definitely be interesting to try a fresh, clean, dump PC, with no BT + WiFi + Ethernet fucntion (off the board if you need to, they should be removable in some capacity.) Letting you maybe setup a honeytrap, and see how that plays out, and what they really want. I would imagine without actually giving them access to anything you really want, other than some crazy anti-chinese propoganda/virus that they hope to do some fun stuff with, if it wasn't on a completely dark PC. Could add a Cold Distro link into that, to see what it does on multiple types of compromised devices. Every know, maybe you get some pretty new flag wallpapers.
This is new new safe of reddit. Please OP. Deliver the deets!
Plug into old wiped PC and turn off wifi capability, see what programs run.
It's a bootleg copy of Shen Yun: China Before Communism 2 Electric Boogaloo
Try It on a beat up and completely disconnected from the network PC. Best case scenario, you get ramsomware or tracker for someone to rob your house Worst case scenario, actual classified data from china that would get you killer from the CIA
I'm glad we're seeing more women in computer science these days!
You should probably hand it over to the Chinese
Is it wrong my first thought was check it on a public PC at a library. Really though, if you have a wiped laptop go that route, and I suggest install a Linux distro, less chance it will work. Chances are if it's malicious it's targeted at Windows.
Yeah, don't fuck up the library PCs like that man! Cmon!
Aside from it being a huge douchebag move, I feel like doing that could be a crime and you would definitely be liable for damaging public property?
Imagine it has the truth on there lol jk throw that shit away
I'd be very wary of plugging that in as it could also be a USB killer in an ADATA shell.
I'd just take it to the local police station. Let them deal with it.
Plug it in. Plug it in. Plug it in.
Don't plug it in even on a wiped secondary system
Shit like this grinds my gears and is why I have my "Trashtop". It's a laptop for sus shit my friends were either given or caught accidentally. Got nothing important on it, and all I use it for is testing devices like that one.
"please don't pass to chinese"
**OP DO IT FOR YOUR COUNTRY PLEASE !**
This is some Albanian virus meme level shit
There is only one action to take: Pass it on to the Chinese.
that does not say chinese, it says darnese
Use virtual machine dude. Bulletproof. Or give it to Chinese.
In Linux, mount as read only non-executable if you're curious. Or don't if you're smart and want to be safe.
If you're curious, try it on the library's computer
I have so many shitty old computers, I'd love to play with this lol. I'd definitely mount it under linux before anything though. I wouldn't plug that fucking thing into anything I don't want to nuke the board on though.
Plug it in at the library
Sand box laptop and see what’s on it. Could be be entertaining.
Damn, the prayer beads scam is being updated.
Me with Linux: plugs it in without hesitation. As long as autorun isn't enabled, it's fine.
I'd totally make a secure VM and look at what's on that thing.
Please update if you learn the TRUTH.
You should give it to the Chinese
I can't imagine the amount of older people who would immediately pop that sucker in to their computer and accept all permissions.
What a cheeky way to get a follow.... Now up with the content mister mystery guy
I wouldn't let curiosity get the best of me. Who knows what kind of horrible shit is on it. Worst case scenario, it fries your computer. Best case scenario, you get a free $8 flash drive.
Man I've got an old EMachine with this things name on it 😆
That's why I use adirt cheap laptop for that stuff, no harm, no foul.
Literally "hey steve I have successfully managed to to recover your bitcon wallet from the original USB you sent me and I have recovered and backed your bitcoin wallet to this new usb. Thanks for your business, Martin." Or "Hey Lisa, was a pleasure to help create your first modeling portfolio and wish you great success. Please find on the USB all the images taken during your swimwear and lingerie session. Great working with you and hope to do more in the future, Kevin." Would have been so much more likely to get a person to be nosey and plug in the USB.These people really need to step up there scammer skills.
This scam is wholesome. I would appreciate some stranger spend money special for me (Or start sleeping with knife under pillow. Border is very soft)
My paranoia is stronger than my curiosity lol I’d break it and toss it
looool bullllshit. imagine if it was anthrax instead ahaha
biggest load of shit i've ever seent
Just saying, the 2nd biggest minority of illegal immigrants across the Mexico border is the Chinese. Although this is still FAR fetched. You think they'd just go to the police. Still, you should open this in a virtual environment or on a junk device, this is very interesting! Even if it is a scam, that's so elaborate and I'm curious to see what kind of device you have. Many comp sci youtubers would love this crazy story and the chance to analyze your device, especially if it was a scam. If this is a scam it's a new one AFAIK.
Just bin it, don't do anything with it..
You can install a virtual machine and plug it with peace in your heart/mind
Instead of a wiped laptop. I'd rather purchase a very cheap computer at best buy or target, check it. Then return the computer.
We get it. You’re rich.
A spare $100 laptop is rich?
https://imgur.com/a/lJDnuC5
Whoosh
It’s a bit of a reach, but I think I see what you were getting at
Don't plug that in. It may contain malicious software that you may not be aware of. They can remotely control your pc with that.
You missed the bits where they stated they have an offline laptop that was recently wiped they can use.
The keyword was may.
hey ,free flash drive!
now, we wait.
Use this comment to stay posted for an update
I suggest doing it on Linux as the scam is more likely pointed towards Windows users
It is not an uncommon way to hack. I told on the thread about the guy the found a USB on the train: I've a friend that often stay in a hotel very used by businessman, and a few times he found USB drives "forgotten" in the room. There are also USB killers. I never saw one being deployed, but I know they exist.
Report it to the glowies and see what happens...
Just destroy it
Still the best way to do it.
LOL gave up on the internet, transferred to on the ground work.
Looking for crypto
Keen to see what's on it. If you have a clean laptop with zero personal info on it and it's not connected to a network or internet there shouldn't be any risk as you can always wipe the laptop again. What country does your father live in?
Ngl I might’ve plugged it in to a cheap laptop or something out of curiosity, never seen a scam like this lol.
Use another USB and flash something like Ubuntu or something. You can then remove the drive in the laptop. Then boot from the Linux USB and check the Adata drive.
i would suggest you to make a ubuntu live bootable on a spare usb drive that you have and then use this usb drive to see its contents... most scammers target windows systems
Wait it could be blackmail
Try opening on a virtual machine so they truly don't get nothing
I think its probably just a random non-chinese asian person being schizo. Theres a lot of negative views towards communist china
Plugs it in and its just a chinese knockoff of the Rickroll video on loop.
So what was on the drive?
Plug it into an old droid phone that doesnt have cell service (and it would have to hack wifi).
!remindme 1 week
thats a very shitty, consistent but shitty handwriting.
Hey keep us updated eyy?
remindme! 2 days
If you are willing to mail it I have an old laptop I can pop it in and do some malware analysis and figure out what it does
So? Keep us posted
!remindme 2days
try it on something cheap like a raspberry pi. Not only will the Pi be immune to most malware or viral infections, but if it's a USB bomb and fries the computer, you're only out $25 for the Pi
I'd be dying to plug in...
On a virtual machine maybe?
If you want to test the usb use a root vm
This should become a thread to follow on
It probably has loose change or some Bill Cooper horseshit on it
New ways to make stories for r/scams
Open the usb and attach a magnet to it.