{
  "slug": "usbkill",
  "category": "usb-security",
  "name": "usbkill",
  "description": "Python script that shuts down the computer as soon as a USB device is plugged in or removed, as an anti-forensic kill switch. It runs on Linux, BSD and macOS and has not been updated in years.",
  "website": "https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill",
  "source": "https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [
    "linux",
    "macos"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": null,
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "B",
  "score": 80,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "usbkill scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the USB kill switches and anti-forensics criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. It does not meet independent audit.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/usb-security/usbkill/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/usb-security/usbkill/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill/blob/master/setup.py",
      "note": "GPL-3.0."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill",
      "note": "No telemetry or analytics in the source code."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill",
      "note": "Free volunteer project with no ads or data sales."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": null,
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:01:41.442Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}