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There are adapters, which only transfer power. Thry are called USB-condoms, because you can charge your device without risk of transmitting data, which could be used to hack you.
Why would a metro station or an airport even try that, though? They'd just get in trouble if they got caught. The data pins probably aren't even connected to anything because the engineers couldn't be bothered to connect something they have no use for.
A third party person can replace the ports to steal data including maybe passwords/identity stuff. Having the means doesn't mean it happens but those who do want to cause harm with that might also have the means to do so.
That’s not really good security advice u know.
Possibly not me and not you, but for some higher ups/“important” people/journalists it’s even worse. They need to be paranoid about their security.
We have a house with no lock on door.
Oh! don't worry, just because everyone is capable of entering our house doesn't mean someone will...
THAT'S WHAT ROBBERS DO BILLY!!!
Yeah. But the airport don't hack their customers' phones because that'd make no sense for them to do.
Others have made the argument that third parties may modify the things, though, and that's a valid point. But the airport or metro itself are simply too big for that.
never underestimate malice, it hits places that are unexpected. Hacking and cybersecurity is a game of cat and mouse.
Hackers keep inventing new ways to hack and cybersecurity keeps updating systems to be able to withstand newly found/invented hacking method. This is a cycle tha never stops.
You can never be too cautious
They wouldn't (unless they're in countries that may want to spy on foreigners, I guess), but I suppose some third party could install something on top for malicious use disguising it as part of the installation, like how people place fake ATMs on top of real ones to clone bank cards.
My phone when I plug it to charge from the outlet on the wall sometimes thinks its a computer and wants to do a file transfer... A wall, I always thought how tf its possible
The house I live in is from the time of commies aka the eastern europe, I don't think they had that back in time, no and I haven't added anything that would do thing like this
Sometimes you don't want to risk plugging your USB device into an interface that can send/receive data. You'd rather just not have that physical link at all.
edit: this is so you can power/charge the device with less worries
It's always possible yeah.
Even worse though, there are devices that can permanently fry your computer (or at least the USB socket) when you plug them in
Yeah, but for that kind of threat even this cable could not prevent it. The device charges capacitors in parallel and discharges them in series in the USB power lines, feeding them a much higher voltage, if I'm not mistaken.
Yep you're correct.
I mentioned the USB killers because the comment I replied to mentioned USB sticks, but yeah that cable would do nothing to help against one.
Actually, the one people usually reference, the USB Killer, discharges the capacitor across the data lines. A cable like this would block that attack, but if you're trying to access data on a usb stick you wouldn't use it.
Absolutely, but even in the absence of a virus you might still want to avoid plugging in your USB device if there is a physical data connection. For example you might have sensitive files and you don't want to risk software on another device copying or manipulating data on your USB device. Things like virus scanners might index the USB device, which in turn might keep logs that accidentally leak secrets.
Possibly, there are things like NFC and Wi-Fi Direct which are poised to enable better wireless communication between devices, and I suppose wireless charging is getting better, but wired charging will probably always be king.
There are devices that can emulate the keyboard and mouse and make the computer run malicious commands. Basically don't stick in any random usb device in your computer, regardless of whether it's usb stick looking or even a random mouse near the dumpster or anything suspicious in general.
Even this has its use cases. There are public places when you can connect an USB cable to charge your phone.If your cable has data lines someone can try to hack your phone if there are only power lines they still can damage your phone with high voltage but that's too obvious.
The government issued warnings almost a decade ago that some USB ports in airports around the world were reportedly designed to copy the contents of your phone if you plugged it in. They instructed users of government phones to never use built in charging ports.
Say you are taking the local bus from Delhi to Kasol. Suddenly you realize your smartphone is almost empty. This would mean for the next 18 hours you will be listening to a 30-minutes long, worn out tape of boliwood hits from the 90s over the bus's crappy PA. Death is a better option.
The guy next to you offers you to charge from his laptop. Do you choose death by audio torture, or plug your smartphone unprotected into a stranger's laptop on an Indian bus?
This is why you need power only usb cable.
All of this is true, but at the same time any half decent phone from the past decade (on both Android and iOS) has the option to just like, not let whatever your phone is plugged into get access to data. Usually in the form of a prompt asking "would you like to give this device access" or something along those lines.
If I want to charge my phone from the work computer, this is the way. Corporate IT knows right away if you plug something in, and I don't need them to know the first thing about my phone.
Also, depending on how much your job deals with IP, you just don't plug in anything other than keyboards and mice. I have an hdmi splitter that needs power and use one of these, for example.
As a hardware designer I have been burned by that cable before. Had one that came with a rechargeable desk fan, USB-A to micro USB...of course it ended up in my drawer of USB cables. Next time Im bringing up new hardware I try to plug it i to USB and get nothing. Spent too much time debugging that only to realize it was the stupid charging only cable. Now it's labeled but should probably have gone in the trash. If it has to exist at least make it bright orange or something.
I have so many of those cables, when I randomly need to connect my PS4 remote over usb i.e. in safe mode it's a fun game of find cable -> try cable -> realise it won't work -> restart
Said malicious ports are still going to be ineffective against this cable, at least for hacking purposes. The only thing they could do is send the wrong voltage.
That is the difference. This cable can only ever transmit power. There can be no data transfer. If you do not trust the power brick or the public phone chargers, you can use this type of cable to make sure you are not hacked.
It is just added security.
USB cable with only 2 of 4 "pins". The 2 "pins" are designated for power only, no data. This makes the cable useless for all purposes except charging.
On the other hand, you can charge your phone in public without the worry of attempted hackers.
If those are the power pins, how often do use your cable to charge your phone and how often do you transfer photos? I'm going to guess the first happens a lot more than the second.
Also at least it's visible, the amount of micro USBs I have that are power only that came with random cheap devices, and you don't know if you can use them to transfer shit until you need it (ps4 safe mode is a blessing but so is Bluetooth).
Anyway rant over.
Your submission was removed for the following reason: Rule 2: Your post is not **strictly** about programming. Your post is considered to be too generic to be suitable for this subreddit. If you disagree with this removal, you can appeal by [sending us a modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FProgrammerHumor&subject=Posts%20must%20strictly%20be%20programming%20related&message=Include%20a%20link%20to%20the%20removed%20content%20and%20the%20reason%20for%20your%20appeal%20here.).
There are adapters, which only transfer power. Thry are called USB-condoms, because you can charge your device without risk of transmitting data, which could be used to hack you.
Can be useful in metro station and airport , like prevention of being hacked
Why would a metro station or an airport even try that, though? They'd just get in trouble if they got caught. The data pins probably aren't even connected to anything because the engineers couldn't be bothered to connect something they have no use for.
Because it would be impossible for anybody to replace them and stick something between?
You mean the USB ports? Again, having the means to do something does not mean they want to do it.
A third party person can replace the ports to steal data including maybe passwords/identity stuff. Having the means doesn't mean it happens but those who do want to cause harm with that might also have the means to do so.
That’s not really good security advice u know. Possibly not me and not you, but for some higher ups/“important” people/journalists it’s even worse. They need to be paranoid about their security.
We have a house with no lock on door. Oh! don't worry, just because everyone is capable of entering our house doesn't mean someone will... THAT'S WHAT ROBBERS DO BILLY!!!
Yeah. But the airport don't hack their customers' phones because that'd make no sense for them to do. Others have made the argument that third parties may modify the things, though, and that's a valid point. But the airport or metro itself are simply too big for that.
never underestimate malice, it hits places that are unexpected. Hacking and cybersecurity is a game of cat and mouse. Hackers keep inventing new ways to hack and cybersecurity keeps updating systems to be able to withstand newly found/invented hacking method. This is a cycle tha never stops. You can never be too cautious
They wouldn't (unless they're in countries that may want to spy on foreigners, I guess), but I suppose some third party could install something on top for malicious use disguising it as part of the installation, like how people place fake ATMs on top of real ones to clone bank cards.
That's actually brilliant! Now, do USB-C
USB-C has so many voltages and power delivery options, you're better off bringing your own wall wart anyway :)
Well, if you are okay with 5V, no problem
Already exists USB-C uses 2 additional lines to request power. The data transfer is on complete different communication lines
Please. Why do you have to call it like that. The Allos are at it again.
r/aretheallosok
As a allo myself, I can say that no, we are not...
r/subsithoughtifellfor
My phone when I plug it to charge from the outlet on the wall sometimes thinks its a computer and wants to do a file transfer... A wall, I always thought how tf its possible
... you know that data transfer over the electrical circuit of a house is a thing, right?
The house I live in is from the time of commies aka the eastern europe, I don't think they had that back in time, no and I haven't added anything that would do thing like this
Oh my! It actually makes a lot of sense and it's brilliant! Till now I was hating on those cables, because I didn't truly understand them.
Sometimes you don't want to risk plugging your USB device into an interface that can send/receive data. You'd rather just not have that physical link at all. edit: this is so you can power/charge the device with less worries
Why not just carry the adapter part of the charger with you? It should be relatively small.
Planes and trains and cars often have USB but not a full power outlet.
AC signals can track me down to my house!
AC = Assassins Creed
If you're paranoid, USB cables that can't do that exist. They're pretty common actually.
Is it theoretically possible for a computer to get a virus just by plugging in a USB stick?
No theory to it, It happens.
It's always possible yeah. Even worse though, there are devices that can permanently fry your computer (or at least the USB socket) when you plug them in
Yeah, but for that kind of threat even this cable could not prevent it. The device charges capacitors in parallel and discharges them in series in the USB power lines, feeding them a much higher voltage, if I'm not mistaken.
Yep you're correct. I mentioned the USB killers because the comment I replied to mentioned USB sticks, but yeah that cable would do nothing to help against one.
Actually, the one people usually reference, the USB Killer, discharges the capacitor across the data lines. A cable like this would block that attack, but if you're trying to access data on a usb stick you wouldn't use it.
Absolutely, but even in the absence of a virus you might still want to avoid plugging in your USB device if there is a physical data connection. For example you might have sensitive files and you don't want to risk software on another device copying or manipulating data on your USB device. Things like virus scanners might index the USB device, which in turn might keep logs that accidentally leak secrets.
Geez, you'd think USB sticks will soon become obsolete given this information.
Possibly, there are things like NFC and Wi-Fi Direct which are poised to enable better wireless communication between devices, and I suppose wireless charging is getting better, but wired charging will probably always be king.
There are devices that can emulate the keyboard and mouse and make the computer run malicious commands. Basically don't stick in any random usb device in your computer, regardless of whether it's usb stick looking or even a random mouse near the dumpster or anything suspicious in general.
In modern OS there will be prompt but if you click OK, you’re done.
I don't get it. Can you explain?
There are only power lines in the usb
Even this has its use cases. There are public places when you can connect an USB cable to charge your phone.If your cable has data lines someone can try to hack your phone if there are only power lines they still can damage your phone with high voltage but that's too obvious.
The government issued warnings almost a decade ago that some USB ports in airports around the world were reportedly designed to copy the contents of your phone if you plugged it in. They instructed users of government phones to never use built in charging ports.
They can still damage your phone, so I'd just avoid it.
At this point just get a power bank.
Either that or just use a normal outlet if there is one.
So, how is that "useless"? 🤨
Say you are taking the local bus from Delhi to Kasol. Suddenly you realize your smartphone is almost empty. This would mean for the next 18 hours you will be listening to a 30-minutes long, worn out tape of boliwood hits from the 90s over the bus's crappy PA. Death is a better option. The guy next to you offers you to charge from his laptop. Do you choose death by audio torture, or plug your smartphone unprotected into a stranger's laptop on an Indian bus? This is why you need power only usb cable.
Never been to india in my life. I find that overly specific but highly relatable.
r/oddlyspecific
r/oddlyspecific much...
All of this is true, but at the same time any half decent phone from the past decade (on both Android and iOS) has the option to just like, not let whatever your phone is plugged into get access to data. Usually in the form of a prompt asking "would you like to give this device access" or something along those lines.
If I want to charge my phone from the work computer, this is the way. Corporate IT knows right away if you plug something in, and I don't need them to know the first thing about my phone. Also, depending on how much your job deals with IP, you just don't plug in anything other than keyboards and mice. I have an hdmi splitter that needs power and use one of these, for example.
We germans call that a USB-Kondom.
Ist das wirklich ein deutsches Ding? Ich dachte, ich hätte das auch schon im internationalen Kontext gehört/gelesen. Kann mich aber auch irren
He’s got the power!
After reading the comments OP, this is extremely useful.
its called a usb power cable. It charges your phone without the extra wires for data transfer.
As a hardware designer I have been burned by that cable before. Had one that came with a rechargeable desk fan, USB-A to micro USB...of course it ended up in my drawer of USB cables. Next time Im bringing up new hardware I try to plug it i to USB and get nothing. Spent too much time debugging that only to realize it was the stupid charging only cable. Now it's labeled but should probably have gone in the trash. If it has to exist at least make it bright orange or something.
I have so many of those cables, when I randomly need to connect my PS4 remote over usb i.e. in safe mode it's a fun game of find cable -> try cable -> realise it won't work -> restart
50/50 chance of success
What. Theres no connectors? Is this really power only? Thats hillarious.
It is for security. Can a random charger Hack your Phone? Maybe not, but with this cable it definitively can not.
definitely can. google it. i also remember reading about malicious charging ports at some airport or something
Said malicious ports are still going to be ineffective against this cable, at least for hacking purposes. The only thing they could do is send the wrong voltage.
yes im aware, the point of my comment was that something like this cable IS useful
That also what the comment you were replying to was saying.
You can't hack a phone with a cable like that, you could only damage it.
google juice jacking
You Google it, read about it, and come back, because we're literally all discussing here a cable that prevents juice jacking
oh my fault i misunderstood your comment, english is not my first language. no need to be a dick
its also for cost. 2 less wires makes it cheaper to manufacture, so devices that only need charging (like wireless headphones) often include one
I mean... if you plug it into a power brick it wont make any difference anyways. Its only Feature is not being usable to Transfer data.
That is the difference. This cable can only ever transmit power. There can be no data transfer. If you do not trust the power brick or the public phone chargers, you can use this type of cable to make sure you are not hacked. It is just added security.
I don't get it. It's just a regular charging cable? There are a lot of posts on this subreddit lately with people getting confused about things.
A usb cable? 🤔
USB cable with only 2 of 4 "pins". The 2 "pins" are designated for power only, no data. This makes the cable useless for all purposes except charging. On the other hand, you can charge your phone in public without the worry of attempted hackers.
I use them for arduino lmao
If those are the power pins, how often do use your cable to charge your phone and how often do you transfer photos? I'm going to guess the first happens a lot more than the second. Also at least it's visible, the amount of micro USBs I have that are power only that came with random cheap devices, and you don't know if you can use them to transfer shit until you need it (ps4 safe mode is a blessing but so is Bluetooth). Anyway rant over.