A security researcher has created a Lightning cable capable of infecting any type of PC. Hackers could steal all your data
Beware of the Lightning cables you use to connect your iPhone to your PC. It could be a counterfeit product and, in addition to ruining your iPhone’s battery, it could infect your computer with malware of various kinds (regardless of the operating system you use) and allow unscrupulous cybercriminals to take control of your PC.
A threat, fortunately, only theoretical. At least for now. It is, in fact, a sort of proof of concept that a security researcher has presented during a conference dedicated to the topic. Mike Grover (known in the environment with the name of MG) has designed and created a cable in all respects identical to an Apple Lightning, but containing scripts and viruses capable of knocking out the defenses of Linux computers, Windows and macOS. As mentioned above, it only takes one of these malwares to infect the PC’s memory to allow cyber criminals to remotely control and spy on every activity the unsuspecting user performs.
How the Lightning cable attack works
Called O.MG (an acronym that means “Oh my God”), the cable doesn’t need a lot of tools to infect a computer with its load of malicious files. As soon as it is plugged into the USB port of a PC, the fake Lightning cable will “flood” the memory with the most suitable malware: it will install itself automatically and remain “dormant” until it detects a Wi-Fi connection.
At this point, the hacker can do whatever he wants. With the network connection active, he can take possession of the device, controlling its functionality and tools. They can copy files from the memory and send them to a server controlled by the hacker, install new malware, or even reconfigure the system, erasing all the information in the memory. “
How to defend yourself from the attack of the fake Lightning cable
As it is a “carbon copy” of a Lightning cable, which can also be used to recharge the iPhone using a normal charger, it is actually impossible to distinguish it from a legitimate one. The only caution that can be used is to buy original cables or, if not available, from reliable sellers. Otherwise, we could also find ourselves in unpleasant situations.