sneakernet still a viable technology

BenCollver · 04-02-2015, 09:29 AM

Sneakernet describes the transfer of files by physically moving removable media. Or it could be done by moving removable computers. Below is a link to a database of dead drops.

https://deaddrops.com/

See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_dead_drop

jlinkels · 04-02-2015, 09:54 AM

iPod/Android/Facebook level of fun.

I hope it will be a hype or "goes viral"

That keeps people occupied, off the streets and distracted from work.

So more work for me and other people who think a computer is a tool for achieving something useful.

jlinkels

BenCollver · 04-02-2015, 10:58 AM

"I had fun once, and it was awful!"

jlinkels · 04-02-2015, 11:59 AM

That's me! Thanks! Now forum member know who I am!

Honestly, I had fun a few times in my life. But that was beyond the level of Facebook.

jlinkels

rtmistler · 04-03-2015, 07:56 AM

Cute. But once, limited time basis, and I can see a ton of potential problems given the range of individuals out there and the way that many of them act.

jlinkels · 04-03-2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler

Cute. But once, limited time basis, and I can see a ton of potential problems given the range of individuals out there and the way that many of them act.

I think every second user puts some malware on it. Advertently or inadvertently. Now let some Linux geek reformat as XFS or ZFS, now that would be a bit more fun.

metaschima · 04-03-2015, 11:41 AM

Even more fun if someone decided to install firmware-level malware onto these and then gain control of all the computers that plug into them. That would really go "viral".

rknichols · 04-03-2015, 12:02 PM

And since the discovery that USB thumb drives can have their firmware reprogrammed to silently infect computers in ways that are currently unblockable, those drives now have to be treated like hypodermic needles -- if it has ever touched an infected individual, it is now infected and will transmit that infection to anyone who touches it. Connect to one of those USB dead drops, and your machine is "pwned".

BenCollver · 04-03-2015, 01:03 PM

Sounds a little like sci-fi to me. That firmware would need a lot of smarts to infect all of Android, IOS, Linux, OSX, Windows, yadda yadda yadda. Also, a tinfoil hatter could use a throw-away Android device and Total Commander to copy the files to an SD card for sanitary transfer to a Linux box.

-Ben

metaschima · 04-03-2015, 01:48 PM

This is not tin foil hat stuff, just search for 'badusb', there are plenty of proof of concepts.

Throw-away android devices ? How much would that cost ?

fogpipe · 04-03-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rknichols

And since the discovery that USB thumb drives can have their firmware reprogrammed to silently infect computers in ways that are currently unblockable, those drives now have to be treated like hypodermic needles -- if it has ever touched an infected individual, it is now infected and will transmit that infection to anyone who touches it. Connect to one of those USB dead drops, and your machine is "pwned".

Yeah given what we have learned recently disabling them might be viewed as a public service.

BenCollver · 04-03-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metaschima

Throw-away android devices ? How much would that cost ?

I was aware of the problem before badusb became a term.

The ZTE Zinger goes for $20 in Wal*Mart and it has a USB port.