Maleware loaded into computer through usb charging

[Penn]

Uh, most e-cigs now have computers and memory inside them. Any cig that uses a chip can have malware put on said chip.

Does it actually happen in practice? I don't know, but it's certainly possible. Indeed, I expect to see hackers at DEFCON and the like present proof-of-concept code in the future.

4 pins in a standard USB connector. Pin 1 receives the positive direct current. Pin 4 returns unused direct current back to the computer. Pin 2 receives data from the device and 3 sends data to the device.

If you are talking about an Ego style battery the charger would have to be complicit. The direct connection of the ego has a positive and negative post only and utilizes pins 1 and 4 of the USB connector. To do what you are talking about the charger would need to have a chip to receive data and the electricity AND the ability to separate data from raw DC so it can then send data to the computer using only pin 2 of the USB connection.

Does anyone remember if it was Reddit that had people taking about boiling batteries to improve performance?

 

[smacuser]

lol.

My wife told me she heard this on NPR this morning.

But, she was in another room and I replied "I don't visit Chinese websites!".

 

[nyiddle]

Basically bigclivedotcom is the man. Many thanks. These types of standard Ego chargers CANNOT carry malware. Bam!

 

[d4gger]

Mayhap I should read the "article." The dubious culprit is an eGo-threaded battery whose charging port is the eGo/510 threads? That is, sincerely, impossible. Charging dongles, batteries that charge via a direct USB interface, etc, certainly can carry code, but we luckily aren't paying enough for the chargers to offset the pennies to include a mini eprom or other data storage. As far as "not being able to fit the data" I've had Kodak cables (just the cable, no camera attached), with a knurl no bigger than a Kanger atomizer load drivers on Windows XP sp1 without asking. Nowadays, though, you'll generally be prompted before your computer loads software or drivers from an unknown device, so I expect most computers are safe from "battery hacking."

All that aside, please buy a bigger wall adapter if you have to use your computer for charging batteries. I've seen USB outlets with as many as six ports, and I'm sure major internet outlets have them for under $10

 

[WattWick]

Basically bigclivedotcom is the man. Many thanks. These types of standard Ego chargers CANNOT carry malware. Bam!

That's a matter of perception. I would say that "These specific chargers shown in this specific video DO NOT carry malware or any way of delivering it". That does not mean they cannot be tampered with.

 

[ProjektMayhem]

I never plug my any of my mods/ecigs into my pc even if they can be charged via USB. Yeah I guess cloners/hackers can put stuff like that on an e cig and sell it super cheap so when someone plugs it into their PC it will infect it. But I can guarentee that the major players in the vaping industry aren't doing this. I don't think they would risk their rep on something stupid like that. That's what happens when you buy vape gear from unreliable sources like ebay. I definitely stick with reputable companies.

 

[Nermal]

Hey now, although I did smoke camels, the one Eyed Jedi equipment puts me in the definitely "not she" category. Or something like that.

Sorry for the error, dice. I was busy looking at the post instead of the poster.

 

[Fixievixie]

I just came here for the maleware, Sounds sexy. Also I'm already ulta paranoid about plugging things in to my computer so I definitely would never plug any generic USB made in China anything into my computer. Could it be a big tobacco mainstream media agenda... Maybe, could it be a new legitimate and rather brilliant scam, possibly...it came from somewhere so it's happend to at least a handful of people. This is what it's come down to people, don't be a sucker, protect your property, do your research and spend a few extra bucks on reputable companies, Cover Your .....!

 

[Lova]

I just came here for the maleware, Sounds sexy. Also I'm already ulta paranoid about plugging things in to my computer so I definitely would never plug any generic USB made in China anything into my computer. Could it be a big tobacco mainstream media agenda... Maybe, could it be a new legitimate and rather brilliant scam, possibly...it came from somewhere so it's happend to at least a handful of people. This is what it's come down to people, don't be a sucker, protect your property, do your research and spend a few extra bucks on reputable companies, Cover Your .....!

There's one funny thing called lawsuit, if a big tobacco company _does_ make an ecig charger with malware in them and you can prove it, you will win a hefty load of money off of it.

Malwares are illegal and I have disassembled few of them myself, and most likely a known virus has got the makers details either online or embedded in the code.

 

[WattWick]

I just came here for the maleware, Sounds sexy. Also I'm already ulta paranoid about plugging things in to my computer so I definitely would never plug any generic USB made in China anything into my computer. Could it be a big tobacco mainstream media agenda... Maybe, could it be a new legitimate and rather brilliant scam, possibly...it came from somewhere so it's happend to at least a handful of people. This is what it's come down to people, don't be a sucker, protect your property, do your research and spend a few extra bucks on reputable companies, Cover Your .....!

It came from an unverified story on reddit.

 

[wasteyrself]

If anyone is worried about this, google 'usb condom' and see if you're worried enough to invest a few bucks into peace of mind.

 

[Paul44]

I'm already ulta paranoid about plugging things in to my computer so I definitely would never plug any generic USB made in China anything into my computer.

I am the same. It broke my heart when I had to tell my kids I wouldn't give them a USB stick of mine to transfer their homework to the school computer too, I had to tell them a few times to get an email address for their teacher to send it to. I am too paranoid when it comes to my computers.

 

[AndriaD]

I just came here for the maleware, Sounds sexy. Also I'm already ulta paranoid about plugging things in to my computer so I definitely would never plug any generic USB made in China anything into my computer. Could it be a big tobacco mainstream media agenda... Maybe, could it be a new legitimate and rather brilliant scam, possibly...it came from somewhere so it's happend to at least a handful of people. This is what it's come down to people, don't be a sucker, protect your property, do your research and spend a few extra bucks on reputable companies, Cover Your .....!

LOVE your avatar!!! Is that tiny violin playing "my heart bleeds for you"?

Andria

 

[dice57]

speaking of male, and female wear, far as that goes, must say, loving the spandex threaded Longie's, feel oh so secksy on the body, and wicks away moisture well. Keeping one thermally comfortable. Thinking, it works so well, may be the next sensation wicking fiber.

by the way, drier lint, though looks fuffy and promising, not so much, though have found an 2-3% infusion of Savannah hair fibers, can in fact, enhance ones vape, or something like that.


Vape long and Prosper.!!!

 

[twgbonehead]

https ://www .yahoo .com/tech/e-cigarette-from-china-infected-mans-computer-with-103466334849.html

This was on yahoo tonight. Has anyone heard about it? Guess where it is manufactured? You guessed it China. This is only one reason I want American made.

Of course, you're 1000 times more likely to get malware by visiting Yahoo......

 

[SthrnCelt]

First post. I'll comment that any usb device is perfectly capable of carrying code. It can cost a few pennies to include storage of a small amount of code. However, with any Windows os after xp sp2, the user has to choose to execute that code when delivered via usb, or have specified to execute all code. .

Specifically, not having disabled UAC (User Account Control), there should be no execution without the user's consent. Still happens though.

 

[d4gger]

I was under the impression Microsoft had patched autorun vulnerabilities, but I can definitely believe there's still a way in without user consent.

 

[WattWick]

I was under the impression Microsoft had patched autorun vulnerabilities, but I can definitely believe there's still a way in without user consent.

It's not the autorun. It's the handshake before that. "Hello I'm a keyboard, no need to auto-run anything, just do as I say". It's not a Microsoft/Windows problem. It's a USB problem.

 

[d4gger]

I see. I suppose I ought to become informed on the topic. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[mightymen]

Interesting subject. Is it likely no, is it possible very much so. Never been a big fan of China's quality control. After a few experience with malware horrors I'd rather be safe then sorry.