An IT specialist has developed a flash drive that can reliably destroy all the information stored in its memory. There are no encryption systems in it, but not everyone can read it either. Data destruction, according to the author's idea, is provided by strong heating of the flash drive.
Three instead of one
Computer specialist Ryan Walker from Interrupt Labs has developed a unique flash drive with a self-destruct function, writes Tom's Hardware. According to the author, this drive is aimed at journalists and "hardcore hackers", but it does not have any built-in encryption algorithms. Walker gave his project the name Ovrdrive. He did not disclose the storage capacity.
This is most likely done intentionally. In some countries, the use of devices with data encryption may be a violation of the law. Their absence in Walker's brainchild allows it to be used without regard to the criminal code.
Instead of an encryption system, Walker came up with another, albeit less reliable way to protect data on a flash drive without physically destroying it. Anyone who inserts it into the USB port of a computer or laptop will find that it is unreadable or damaged.
Even the second attempt to connect the flash drive will not bring results – only the third time the contents of the memory will be displayed on the screen, and you can interact with it.
Boiling point of water
Mandatory triple connection is the basic security mechanism implemented by Walker. There is also a more radical one - for emergency cases when the data on the flash drive needs to be destroyed.
We are talking about the mechanism of very strong heating of the device, or rather, directly of the memory chip. According to the developer, its temperature will very quickly exceed 100 degrees Celsius, which should disable the memory module. Walker doesn't say how to initiate heating.
In fact, the two mechanisms are a compromise that Walker was forced to make. Initially, he planned to make a full-fledged flash drive self-destruct mechanism, but all his ideas turned out to be unsuitable for integration into a device aimed at mass production, and this is exactly what Walker plans.
What to do with encryption
Walker's options for protecting information from prying eyes may not be sufficiently reliable in some cases. Tom's Hardware experts suggest not to abandon cryptography and use third-party encryption mechanisms.
These include, first of all, VeraCrypt, which is distributed with open source code, and which, with a high degree of probability, will be significantly more reliable than BitLocker. The latter, as reported by CNews, did not show itself from the best side – at the beginning of 2024, it was hacked in less than a minute using a penny device that everyone can collect.
Need financial assistance
In the Ovrdrive project, Walker is the creator and mastermind, but not the sponsor. He has no money for mass production of flash drives for the paranoid, and therefore he appealed to the world community to finance the mass release of Ovrdrive.
As part of its crowdfunding campaign, Walker sells flash drives for $69 (6270 rubles at the Central Bank exchange rate on February 12, 2024) with free delivery in the United States and $ 12 (1090 rubles) delivery worldwide. By the time the material was released, Walker had collected over 70% of the required amount.
In Russia, they were able to do better
Walker did not explain what exactly causes the memory chip to heat up to more than 100 degrees, and how exactly this mechanism is activated. However, he is far from the only one who is interested in the security of information on unencrypted drives, and who creates such devices.
Two and a half years before Walker, a drive similar to Ovrdrive was created in Russia, and not by a home developer, but by employees of Rostec State Corporation. As reported by CNews, the domestic flash drive does not need to be connected three times, and it does not need to be heated – inside it there is a real electric detonator, which is triggered by pressing a physical button.
A simple and effective solution completely destroys the drive – when triggered, the detonator emits a cumulative jet that irreversibly damages the printed circuit board and the elements placed on it.
Three instead of one
Computer specialist Ryan Walker from Interrupt Labs has developed a unique flash drive with a self-destruct function, writes Tom's Hardware. According to the author, this drive is aimed at journalists and "hardcore hackers", but it does not have any built-in encryption algorithms. Walker gave his project the name Ovrdrive. He did not disclose the storage capacity.
This is most likely done intentionally. In some countries, the use of devices with data encryption may be a violation of the law. Their absence in Walker's brainchild allows it to be used without regard to the criminal code.
Instead of an encryption system, Walker came up with another, albeit less reliable way to protect data on a flash drive without physically destroying it. Anyone who inserts it into the USB port of a computer or laptop will find that it is unreadable or damaged.
Even the second attempt to connect the flash drive will not bring results – only the third time the contents of the memory will be displayed on the screen, and you can interact with it.
Boiling point of water
Mandatory triple connection is the basic security mechanism implemented by Walker. There is also a more radical one - for emergency cases when the data on the flash drive needs to be destroyed.
We are talking about the mechanism of very strong heating of the device, or rather, directly of the memory chip. According to the developer, its temperature will very quickly exceed 100 degrees Celsius, which should disable the memory module. Walker doesn't say how to initiate heating.
In fact, the two mechanisms are a compromise that Walker was forced to make. Initially, he planned to make a full-fledged flash drive self-destruct mechanism, but all his ideas turned out to be unsuitable for integration into a device aimed at mass production, and this is exactly what Walker plans.
What to do with encryption
Walker's options for protecting information from prying eyes may not be sufficiently reliable in some cases. Tom's Hardware experts suggest not to abandon cryptography and use third-party encryption mechanisms.
These include, first of all, VeraCrypt, which is distributed with open source code, and which, with a high degree of probability, will be significantly more reliable than BitLocker. The latter, as reported by CNews, did not show itself from the best side – at the beginning of 2024, it was hacked in less than a minute using a penny device that everyone can collect.
Need financial assistance
In the Ovrdrive project, Walker is the creator and mastermind, but not the sponsor. He has no money for mass production of flash drives for the paranoid, and therefore he appealed to the world community to finance the mass release of Ovrdrive.
As part of its crowdfunding campaign, Walker sells flash drives for $69 (6270 rubles at the Central Bank exchange rate on February 12, 2024) with free delivery in the United States and $ 12 (1090 rubles) delivery worldwide. By the time the material was released, Walker had collected over 70% of the required amount.
In Russia, they were able to do better
Walker did not explain what exactly causes the memory chip to heat up to more than 100 degrees, and how exactly this mechanism is activated. However, he is far from the only one who is interested in the security of information on unencrypted drives, and who creates such devices.
Two and a half years before Walker, a drive similar to Ovrdrive was created in Russia, and not by a home developer, but by employees of Rostec State Corporation. As reported by CNews, the domestic flash drive does not need to be connected three times, and it does not need to be heated – inside it there is a real electric detonator, which is triggered by pressing a physical button.
A simple and effective solution completely destroys the drive – when triggered, the detonator emits a cumulative jet that irreversibly damages the printed circuit board and the elements placed on it.
