VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM: Can a new charger install a virus on my laptop?

CMArbres said:

I did not say that any of them do. I did say the casing of any device, in addition to containing analogue components, can just as easily contain miniaturised digital components if sufficient physical internal space is available. If that 'analogue' device is then connected via USB to a computer, it can theoretically do whatever it likes.

Putting that into practice is pretty basic nowadays and such miniature devices are manufactured every day for general use. I use Yubico Security Keys, for example, with tiny casings. However, they need not be that large at all. So very little space is needed to house digital components. It's not exactly rocket science!

Christophe

Christophe

OK if the charger housing includes a RF means of attack like WiFi or Bluetooth then there could be a vulnerability.

Steve C said:

OK if the charger housing includes a RF means of attack like WiFi or Bluetooth then there could be a vulnerability.

Thank you, sincerely. I appreciate your honesty. Now you're thinking! You see, it pays to keep an open mind.

Kind regards,

Christophe

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It's actually quite scary what is already possible.

The same 'insect' used by the military every day could be used to simply fly through your window, land somewhere near your machine, and execute whatever it is programmed to do, including compromising a computer, with an advanced hacker at the other end. Internet of Things makes it even scarier. Imagine what is possible! Though incredibly tiny, they already house a camera.

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This is why deep security measures are essential, minimally the strongest possible security precautions to lock down a computer (already known right here on this forum), 2FA, external Security Keys, possibly Google's Advanced Protection Program, biometrics, facial recognition, ultra-strong, unique secure passwords etc. I use all of them on all my devices already and have done for a long time.

That does not make my machine 100% invulnerable. However, it does make me a very hard target and it would take immeasurable time to penetrate my defences.

By far the best security is learning how to think, as well as leading a harmless, mostly off radar life, with one's own radar well and truly switched on, aware, open minded, with a clear conscience, staying well away from dodgy mischief, especially on the internet.

Simplify, be safe, and don't worry! Life is precious. Live every moment like your last.

Be happy!

Hello @NiceAndShy,

NiceAndShy said:

. . . can it send back information to a company online via my laptop?

The short answer is NO.

I think that you are over thinking this. There are much easier ways for hackers etc to extract information and cause havoc, if they so wished.

markw45 said:

For god's sake lose the tin foil hat!

More like a flawed Vibrainium hat.

MeAndMyComputer said:

@CMArbres, as Steve C mentioned "OK if the charger housing includes a RF means of attack like WiFi or Bluetooth then there could be a vulnerability."
--- Even though I am not an expert, I understand that possibility.

However, please enlighten me: is there a charger housing on the market that includes an RF means of attack like WiFi or Bluetooth in which there could be a vulnerability?
--- If so, how would I determine that?

Good question. The only answer I can give is that you would not know, and that the likelihood of any such device being available anywhere through normal commercial channels is beyond extremely unlikely, pretty much impossible to realise for any perpetrator, not to mention, highly illegal.

The only reason it was discussed is as a considered intellectual response to the suggestion that it is impossible. It clearly is possible. Whereas it may not be possible to find any such devices available through normal commercial channels, that does not mean that they are not easily produced within the criminal fraternity. Take card readers installed on ATMs, and in other forms, for example. This is basic day-to-day stuff in the real world that we all have to contend with. How are expensive cars stolen and their security technology circumnavigated? Everything is up for grabs by criminals with the wherewithal to organise clandestine production and distribution facilities under conventional radar.

Frankly, I have no worries about it. But I do have a very open and enquiring mind, not given to any conspiracy theories. I am very fact driven and always require hard and substantial evidence before accepting anything as 'Gospel'. Even so, I am not given to precluding insights into innovative nefarious use of technological possibilities by criminals either. It can and does happen. That is all. It's not worth taking my line of thought any further than that. I'm certainly no cynic either, just fairly intelligent with a mind like a laser on steroids.

MeAndMyComputer said:

I always recommend a replacement battery should be purchased from the original PC manufacturer when I help someone who's battery needs to be replaced.
At the same time, if a user prefers to purchase one elsewhere, I'll help them ensure the correct specs are in order and then let them decide.

This is very helpful and kind of you. I am a musician with a good deal of equipment driven by 9v adaptors and can tell you first hand how some are just not up to the job required, especially, for instance, in spidering multiple devices to one adaptor. It just doesn't work well at all and, sometimes, not at all. That is with any one adaptor, even those recommended ones, like by Boss (in respect of multiple floor pedals), for example. Conventional wisdom is one device : one adaptor, and, ideally, a very good, tried and tested one.

The problem here is that every man and his dog is pushing cheap adaptors, and some are not only useless, they can and do actually harm very expensive devices. I have one that cost over £600! I would not ever risk harming that. People spend more money on crisps than they do ensuring their adaptors are truly suitable for the job, buying cheap garbage out of greed, cheap-skate meanness. Actually, an act of unfathomable self-denial IMHO. Purveyors of cut-price kit can make sure that those items are well tested and good for their customers. Alas, not everyone does that. Caveat emptor.

You seem to be a very caring person. I like and respect and that. There are plenty of really good people in this world. It warms me every time I see it.

I hope I have answered your question satisfactorily.

Kind regards,

Christophe