Silk Road forums

Discussion => Security => Topic started by: Ferris on August 03, 2013, 05:27 pm

Title: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: Ferris on August 03, 2013, 05:27 pm
I am looking for a magnet that can destroy (or at least impair) the data on my USB stick if I run into problems. I need to be able to access it quickly so it needs to be small.

Any suggestions?

Also any advice on handling this magnet so that I don't destroy my phone, computer, etc would be helpful.
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: tbart on August 03, 2013, 05:52 pm
those rare earth magnets are pretty damn strong and awfully small ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium_magnet ) - i've got some that are 1/2" diameter and 1/16" thick but will hold up pretty decent wgt items

i've used them for latches on cabinet doors, boring a recess 1/16" deep on the backside of the door, and doing same on the cabinet frame, ie recessing a nail head.

you could easily recess one on the front edge (or the underside) of a shelf near your computer, to keep it handy without you having to look for it

question is, will a magnet totally erase a USB hard drive?
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: HeatFireFlame on August 03, 2013, 06:30 pm
I have a Usb which is encased in metal, great for not breaking, which is what you need for the road, Im updating anyway when tails 2.0 comes out soon it wont be long at all, they are already testing it ,However im curious about this,  Would a magnet destroy a usb?
Better than sulfuric acid by your bed ehh :P
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: Rastaman Vibration on August 03, 2013, 06:46 pm
USB flash drives don't use magnetic media, so a magnet will not destroy the data
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: Crazy Eights on August 04, 2013, 01:43 am
A 28 ounce steel head framing hammer and some pent up aggression will certainly assist you with the task.

ce
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: comsec on August 04, 2013, 02:43 am
Watch this talk, you can create a USB thumbdrive from scratch that fools all forensics software. Of course you would always keep it encrypted anyways, but this is firmware hacking to fuck with the investigator:

http://youtu.be/qZtkANvDxZA

Even if you don't do this, talk will also show you how insecure the linux kernel is. Think about 1998 drivers still being in the kernel and fully exploitable.
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: verdant_world on August 04, 2013, 02:59 am
USB flash drives don't use magnetic media, so a magnet will not destroy the data
this is what i thought- flash drive dosent use magnetic storage and physically destroying it would be the best option- or you could just encrypt it with a strong password
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: chluke on August 04, 2013, 03:25 am
I keep a pair of wirecutters in a drawer next to the computer, figure I'd just cut it up into little pieces if I had to. If they want to call that interfering with an investigation, so be it. I'd rather that than let them have the info on it.
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: personaluse on August 06, 2013, 02:53 pm
Do you think the microwave would work? :)
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: personaluse on August 06, 2013, 03:00 pm
Might've been onto something!

(Clearnet link) http://superuser.com/questions/373288/will-microwaving-a-flash-drive-destroy-the-data-on-it

But... in response to your original question - you aint going to be carrying a microwave around in your pocket in case you run into any trouble, are you?
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: MrBlack999 on August 06, 2013, 04:15 pm
A hammer or a metal baseball bat by your bedside will be more than sufficient! Or some homemade thermite.....oh thermite you are an excellent choice by far haha


Mr.Black
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: envioso on August 06, 2013, 04:49 pm
a magnet is not considered secure to destroy even a regular platter hard drive. forensic teams can still recover data. your best bet is to just melt the thing down and buy a new one. throw it in a burning barrel of trash or campfire maybe. if the thing is intact, it is likely they will be able to recover data.
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: medicineman684 on August 06, 2013, 05:36 pm
Why not just encrypt with truecrypt?
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: NoQuarter_merchant on August 06, 2013, 07:21 pm
Why not just encrypt with truecrypt?

^^^^ Truecrypt is the way to go.

Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: livestr0ng on August 06, 2013, 08:30 pm
I have a USB storage device that uses a magnet to stay closed. I don't want to go into it but none of my data has even been erased from this. My conclusion is that a magnet will not destroy the memory on a flash drive.
Title: Re: Magnet to Destroy USB Stick
Post by: chronicjohnson on August 06, 2013, 10:13 pm
A magnet won't do anything to a USB drive. Someone asked about using a microwave. That could definitely work, but it will basically destroy it in the process and you won't be able to use it again at all most likely.