Malware Spreaders Are Now Targeting E-Cigarette Chargers
- 10 years ago
Spreaders of malicious software may have found a new way to infect computers. It’s said some are now embedding their nefarious code into e-cigarette chargers.
Spreaders of malicious software may have found a new way to infect computers. It’s said some are now embedding their nefarious code into e-cigarette chargers.
Often times the alternative smoking apparatus fills its energy reserve via a USB cable and port, and that means a number of them end up getting plugged into computers.
If the e-cigarette connector being used is infected, then it’s technological malady is likely to spread to the device.
A report of just such a happening appeared recently on Reddit.
The poster wrote that a corporate executive plugged a 5-dollar e-cigarette he’d bought on eBay into his work computer, and calamity ensued.
Upon learning about the cheap charger, IT did a thorough examination of it and found it to be loaded with malware.
Of course, it’s unclear if that event actually happened, but an expert says that it easily could.
A Trend Micro security consultant commented that the sort of activity said to be involved with the e-cigarette has been occurring with other devices for years.
Among those are common items like MP3 players and photo frames.
It’s suggested that people only buy USB connected items made by reputable manufacturers and from sellers that can guarantee their authenticity.
Spreaders of malicious software may have found a new way to infect computers. It’s said some are now embedding their nefarious code into e-cigarette chargers.
Often times the alternative smoking apparatus fills its energy reserve via a USB cable and port, and that means a number of them end up getting plugged into computers.
If the e-cigarette connector being used is infected, then it’s technological malady is likely to spread to the device.
A report of just such a happening appeared recently on Reddit.
The poster wrote that a corporate executive plugged a 5-dollar e-cigarette he’d bought on eBay into his work computer, and calamity ensued.
Upon learning about the cheap charger, IT did a thorough examination of it and found it to be loaded with malware.
Of course, it’s unclear if that event actually happened, but an expert says that it easily could.
A Trend Micro security consultant commented that the sort of activity said to be involved with the e-cigarette has been occurring with other devices for years.
Among those are common items like MP3 players and photo frames.
It’s suggested that people only buy USB connected items made by reputable manufacturers and from sellers that can guarantee their authenticity.