A USB stick that can self-destruct and hide data has almost reached its crowdfunding goal. The Ovrdrive USB flash drive, created by Ryan Walker of Interrupt Labs, is designed with privacy in mind. When plugged in normally, the drive’s partition is hidden, making it appear broken. However, if the drive is inserted quickly three consecutive times, the read/write functionality is activated. The initial plan was for the drive to destroy itself, but this proved difficult to reproduce in large numbers. Nevertheless, the self-destruction circuitry has been left intact for those who want to use it. The Ovrdrive’s circuitry can also heat the flash chip to 100 degrees Celsius, which can act as a catalyst for a DIY “self-destruct” implant. This feature is disabled by default to prevent accidental activation. The drive is targeted towards journalists working in hostile environments, security researchers, hardware hackers, and anyone interested in open hardware. It is set to launch in August 2024 with a price tag of $69 and free shipping. The crowdfunding campaign has already raised $2,922 of its $3,500 goal, making it 83% funded with 24 days remaining.
Crowdfunding goal within reach for USB drive designed to self-destruct
