USB Dead Drops

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USB Dead Drops: Would you use one?

  • Yes

  • No

  • Maybe

  • I would install one and use them

  • I would install one but not use them


Results are only viewable after voting.

zanejohnson

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 2002
7,054
17
81
nix is great... here's my htpc's install:

htpc.jpeg
 

radtechtips

Senior member
Feb 12, 2013
640
1
76
Super dumb idea. Seems like a good way to break the USB, or the USB port on your laptop. Laptops are heavy and awkward to hold with one hand. And then to try to fidget with transferring files? Good chance to of dropping the laptop.

Why is he going around defacing public property?

That one scene in the subway station where he puts the USB into some gray clay material...yeah, people won't think it's some kind of explosive device, especially when after stuffing that thing under a pay phone, you go and hook up your laptop and stand there in an awkward position.

That's a good point also but i think that putting them at trailheads with notes for the trail would be sweet

Also has anyone ever told you that a great youtube video was named after you. :D
 
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disappoint

Lifer
Dec 7, 2009
10,132
382
126
Side note: At work, we have a computer support person who is a bit of a ditz. I noticed that someone had thrown out a presumably busted electric stapler. My thought is to attach a USB cable to it and then ask our computer support individual if I could get the driver for the stapler loaded on my machine.

Now that would be funny!

Google is planning on using blimps to provide wifi:

screenshot20130528at1.20.55pm.png


Google plans on using balloons and blimps to transmit Wi-Fi signals over hundreds of square miles of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, connecting close to a billion people who don't have easy access to the internet already, like we do in America. It's not all just for social media and games: the expansive information on the internet can be used to lift slumping economies out of despair. In order to achieve this, Google (which will benefit from more people using the internet, and, in turn, using their service) is trying to get regulators to use airwaves reserved for television. These airwaves can pass through buildings and cover longer distances at low frequencies.
Google: cool company, or the coolest company?
[via HuffPost]
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
7,306
5
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You would? Have you ever asked yourself what kind of person would do such a thing?

One who doesn't know Ohm's Law.

5v is 5v. You can't just choose to shove more power through it.

...hence why I said I'd use a battery substantially into double-digit voltages. 'Cause I'm that kind of person.
 

zanejohnson

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 2002
7,054
17
81
One who doesn't know Ohm's Law.

5v is 5v. You can't just choose to shove more power through it.

...hence why I said I'd use a battery substantially into double-digit voltages. 'Cause I'm that kind of person.


i hate when people dont understand resistance.
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
nah too high chance of malware.
I also doubt you can find anything useful.
Most likely gay porn, that's what 4chan would do.
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
I would have it on a relay that I could control remotely then wait for the overpriveleged with a macbook and then use it

Of course then you'd end up doing it to the poor deluded chap with a $12 per hour job who had nevertheless saved up for 18 months for his macbook air because the people in the commercials just looked so much happier than he was.
 

Possessed Freak

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 1999
6,045
1
0
I am pretty sure I would think I was doing a public service BREAKING these. The only thought that would be going through my mind was that there are probably illegal files on it.
 

radtechtips

Senior member
Feb 12, 2013
640
1
76
Of course then you'd end up doing it to the poor deluded chap with a $12 per hour job who had nevertheless saved up for 18 months for his macbook air because the people in the commercials just looked so much happier than he was.

Or the people that just charged it to their credit card and are hopelessly in debt.
 

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
8,148
3,586
136
There is on a few miles away from my house but its right at a major tourist attraction. I can't image its still there. Someone would clearly see it and not understand what it is and try and take it.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Ever heard of this concept called "current"?
Its the way you "shove more power through" 5v.

But the amount of current drawn from the USB connector is determined by the computer connected to it. And the computer is NOT going to have a power connector sitting around with an almost-zero impedance.

So yes, you WOULD have to use a >5V power source if you intended to damage anything.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
7,306
5
0
I like it when people think they're smart because they know 'voltage' and 'amperage,' but lack any understanding of them.

I would've just replied with 'I = V/R, but Georg Ohm thanks you for your input.'
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,592
13,807
126
www.anyf.ca
You would? Have you ever asked yourself what kind of person would do such a thing?

That would not do anything. The USB/computer will only draw what it needs.

Now if you put 1000 volts into it... yeah that's another story. :biggrin:

Kinda how putting your finger in a socket probably wont kill you even though that socket can supply 15 amps and it only takes 1 amp to kill you. Your body's resistance wont draw everything that it is capable of supplying. Of course if the conditions are right it can draw enough amps to kill you. But another way to look at it is that a small little night light or glade plug in wont blow because it only needs a few watts and the socket is 1800. It only draws what it needs.

Oh, this is kind of fun:



Injects more current into the USB cable for a portable drive. Some computers can't supply enough current through the USB ports and the drive would not work. This fixed the issue.
 
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BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
I'm not sticking my dongle into that thing, some asshole probably would upload kiddie porn on 'em just to try and get everyone in trouble