TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - It may be important to think twice before sharing your flash drive with someone. New research shows that the USB port on your computer could be used to steal your personal information or possibly give your computer a virus.
German researchers found that anything connected via USB can be programmed to do real damage to your data. For instance, someone else's flash drive could be used to take control of a laptop's operating system.
This can also lead to someone spying on your computer's every move. Researchers say that the USB can pose as a network card and then reroute your internet, leading to stronger possibilities of identity theft and bank fraud.
These researchers from the SR Labs in Germany also say that this problem can occur if someone charges their Android device using a computer's USB port.
