Plugging in a USB drive is definitely not without risks. On Wednesday, the police of the North has launched a call for caution to the inhabitants of the Hauts-de-France about a scam called the “USB key” that some individuals have had the surprise to discover in their mailbox. The key in question contain viruses that can damage computers or be used to steal personal data.
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“We encourage you not to use a USB key that you found in your mailbox or in a public place, do not attempt to discover what it contains, but destroy it”, advising the police on the social network.
“curiosity is a bad default”
once the USB key has been filed, the scam is simply for the criminals to wait until the trap closes. For some people, the adage, “curiosity is a bad default” takes all its sense, since the more intrigued then decided to plug the key on their computer. Once the operation is performed, a virus infects the computer and provides access to criminals to all the personal and confidential data contained in the device.
“It was at this moment that you are trapped. The USB key will install a virus, allowing remote access to all your confidential information,” says the rcmp, adding that in case of doubt, it is better to destroy the object.
A scam of well-known services
If the gendarmes of the North had already alerted two years ago over the scam to the USB key, the first reports date back to 2016, Australia. In a small town not far from Melbourne, many people had decided to connect to their computer, the tool discovered in their mailbox, causing the installation to a virus. After filing several complaints, the australian police had then launched a call for caution.
