USB killer

noun

A device designed to send high-voltage power surges into the USB data lines of the device it is connected to, which will damage hardware components.

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Meanings

nounUSB killer (plural USB killers)

plural USB killers

  1. computer securityA device designed to send high-voltage power surges into the USB data lines of the device it is connected to, which will damage hardware components.

    Once fully charged, the USB killer discharges the stored power back into the connected computer (or, in fact, anything with a USB port), causing irreparable hardware damage.

    2020, Alan Calder, Cyber Security: Essential principles to secure your organisation, IT Governance Ltd, →ISBN, page 42
Cite this entry
APA

USB killer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/USB%20killer

MLA

“USB killer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/USB%20killer. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “USB killer,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/USB%20killer.

Source: USB killer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.