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

3nd · 06 Mar 2022

But come on guys. Some of the replies here are completely inappropriate, and should be beneath you, seriously.

i get what you saying ,and commend you for putting it out here , but it's all lighthearted fun. don't think anyone was trying to be really mean or anything.
but yea , i do apologize if my replies offended anyone , wasn't the intention.

PS. on Ubuntu forums (which weirdly looks and operates in exact same manner as this one) , those type of posts would have earned you instant jail and reprimands, they're REALLY strict

glad to see on this forum at least stuff is a little more laid back and easygoing.

NavyLCDR · 06 Mar 2022

Steve C said:

Most of those Faraday bags don't work well when new. Even if they do work new they often fail with use as the fibres flex with se.

But.... can they be repaired with Reynolds Wrap?

MeAndMyComputer · 06 Mar 2022

@NiceAndShy post #42
My problem: "I keep reading about how hackers are always trying to come up with new ways to access people's personal data so I'm always worried."

I can relate to that statement as I've seen very similar approaches where I volunteer. When someone shows me what they read or what they've been told, I keep that information in front of us.
I get to the root cause of why there are problems on their device, fix it and let them know that what they read or were told has nothing to do with what they are concerned about.
When they come up with their "buts", I schedule a follow-up appointment 3 months later. In most cases they are happy that their device is running so well.

Please don't let what you've read or what you've been told and let any of that continue to worry you. Post here & you will be told the truth. Naturally there are different opinions, but as the threads move on to the road toward success or an honest answer that the situation isn't "reasonably solvable" will be included.

Since you wonder about your personal data being hacked, you might want to create a thread on how to protect your personal data. Go for it.

TairikuOkami · 06 Mar 2022

And while you worry about your laptop, your fridge and washing machine might be hacking the internet.

Hacking IoT Devices: How to Create a Botnet of Refrigerators

As far as the charger goes, it is easy to hide wifi adapter within it and connect to the laptop afterwards or to a free wifi and work with it. It has unlimited juice, possibilities are endless. You just have to think as hackers do.

You can not even trust brands, Lenovo included a rootkit that was used by malware later on.

Lenovo fined $3.5m for pre-installed adware that hijacks HTTPS connections | ZDNet

3nd · 06 Mar 2022

which brings me back to my post #13
just about anything is possible

Steve C · 06 Mar 2022

NavyLCDR said:

But.... can they be repaired with Reynolds Wrap?

In that case just use the foil alone!

Brian60013 · 07 Mar 2022

Although I had to read the title of this thread multiple times and asked myself someone cannot really believe that a charging brick/power adapter/ charger.... whatever you choose to call it could actually be used for that, and although it connects to a completely seperate port on the laptop.... I never once thought about someone putting a wifi or bluetooth device that POSSIBLY ALTHOUGH HIGHLY UNLIKELY could be installed and used in a charging device, maybe not on a laptop since it has a dedicated port for charging.... what about smart phones that use the same port for charging and data transfer?