The cybersecurity industry and those who depend on it for their protection are often preoccupied with the latest, most complex cyber threats. While these advanced tactics certainly deserve attention, this focus sometimes creates a blind spot for more “basic” methods like USB drop attacks.

In just the first half of 2023, we’ve seen a threefold increase in these types of attacks. So, let’s dig deep into why USB drop attacks are resurging, the different flavors they come in, and, most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself and your organization. But first, we need to understand what exactly we’re up against.

In other words, a USB drop attack is the digital equivalent of the well-known Trojan Horse story, in which a seemingly innocuous object harbors a hidden danger. Just like the wooden horse that the Greeks used to infiltrate Troy, the USB drive appears harmless, even useful. But once it’s plugged into a computer, the malicious software hidden inside springs into action, compromising your system and potentially even your entire network.

Some attackers don’t bother with elaborate schemes or disguises. Instead, they scatter USB drives in public places where the foot traffic is high. They rely on the power of human curiosity and the age-old allure of “free stuff” to get people to pick up and plug in the device.

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