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Groups > linux.debian.user > #286736

Re: USB devices and security

From David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk>
Newsgroups linux.debian.user
Subject Re: USB devices and security
Date 2026-05-17 17:00 +0200
Message-ID <MVL8d-5Q6F-5@gated-at.bofh.it> (permalink)
References (5 earlier) <MV3JT-5m5z-5@gated-at.bofh.it> <MV5Vn-5ntf-3@gated-at.bofh.it> <MV6Rr-5o57-7@gated-at.bofh.it> <MVEq5-5LyD-3@gated-at.bofh.it> <MVEq5-5LyD-1@gated-at.bofh.it>
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On Sun 17 May 2026 at 09:49:13 (+0200), tomas@tuxteam.de wrote:
> USB devices identify themselves with a couple of numbers: the device
> class, the vendor ID and the product ID [1],as defined by the vendor.
> 
> The device can do whatever it wants, it's just firmware pushing bits,
> so no -- it can tell your computer whatever it wants.
> 
> The operating system then uses these IDs to decide what to do (e.g.
> load a kernel driver, whatnot). Udev is the one responsible for
> that in our countries.

I agree. The more that udev can inform us about, the better.
My own udev scripts are a tiny part of that. Obviously you
have to be careful with keyboards, as you need a device for
submitting your response!

> But Stefan's approach went another way: ask the user (they are, after
> all, those sticking the thing into the port). If you stick your device
> to a charger and it asks you "is connecting to this keyboard OK?",
> it's on you to say "HELL, NO!" :-)
> 
> Having that as an option makes sense.

Sure. But I thought charging ports were done and dusted about
five posts upthread (power-only cable/power bank/mains adapter).
The approach is akin to assuming all fuel pumps have had a
credit-card skimmer installed (but more practical).

Cheers,
David.

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Thread

Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? "mick.crane" <mick.crane@gmail.com> - 2026-05-14 02:10 +0200
  Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> - 2026-05-14 23:00 +0200
    Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? John Hasler <john@sugarbit.com> - 2026-05-14 23:50 +0200
      Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> - 2026-05-15 03:10 +0200
        Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? Andy Smith <andy@strugglers.net> - 2026-05-15 04:20 +0200
          USB devices and security (was: how to transfer files to/from iPhone?) Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2026-05-15 05:20 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security Henrik Ahlgren <pablo@seestieto.com> - 2026-05-15 06:40 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security (was: how to transfer files to/from  iPhone?) Brian Sammon <debian-users-list@brisammon.fastmail.fm> - 2026-05-15 07:40 +0200
              Re: USB devices and security nwe <nwe@gitcoding.net> - 2026-05-15 15:50 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security (was: how to transfer files to/from  iPhone?) <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-15 08:50 +0200
              Re: USB devices and security Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2026-05-15 18:40 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-15 20:00 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security -- and rubber ducks! <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-15 22:00 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security (was: how to transfer files to/from iPhone?) rhkramer@gmail.com - 2026-05-15 15:30 +0200
              Re: USB devices and security (was: how to transfer files to/from  iPhone?) Norwid Behrnd <nbehrnd@yahoo.com> - 2026-05-15 16:00 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2026-05-15 18:40 +0200
              Re: USB devices and security Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2026-05-15 21:00 +0200
              Re: USB devices and security <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-15 22:00 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security debian-user@howorth.org.uk - 2026-05-15 23:20 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security Henrik Ahlgren <pablo@seestieto.com> - 2026-05-16 09:00 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security CGS <etphonehomefrance@gmail.com> - 2026-05-16 18:10 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-16 18:40 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security CGS <etphonehomefrance@gmail.com> - 2026-05-16 18:50 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security Henrik Ahlgren <pablo@seestieto.com> - 2026-05-16 19:20 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-17 09:50 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2026-05-17 17:00 +0200
                Re: USB devices and security Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2026-05-17 17:50 +0200
            Re: USB devices and security Max Nikulin <manikulin@gmail.com> - 2026-05-16 07:00 +0200
          Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? CGS <etphonehomefrance@gmail.com> - 2026-05-15 16:30 +0200
    Re: how to transfer files to/from iPhone? <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2026-05-15 08:40 +0200

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