USB and anti-forensic tool privacy ratings
Tools that lock or shut down a computer when USB devices change, and other anti-forensic protections.
4 USB kill switches and anti-forensics are rated against 4 public criteria, and 4 have enough evidence for a letter grade.
Open-source USB kill switches and anti-forensics only · Criteria for this category · Suggest an addition · Markdown
| Name | Grade | Score | Data | Open source | No trackers or telemetry | No ads or data sales | Independent audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux kernel module that, when any USB device is added or removed, can securely delete chosen files and then powers off the computer. It is an anti-forensic kill switch inspired by usbkill. |
Grade B | 80 | 100% | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
macOS menu bar app that watches USB ports and shuts down or hibernates the Mac when an unknown device is connected or a whitelisted one is removed, with an optional countdown to cancel. |
Grade B | 80 | 100% | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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. |
Grade B | 80 | 100% | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Dead man's switch that locks the screen or shuts down a computer when a magnetic USB breakaway cable tethered to the user is pulled out. The open-source app runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, and the cables are sold by the project. |
Grade C | 65 | 100% | Yes | Partial | Yes | No |
Questions
What is the most private option among USB kill switches and anti-forensics?
No pick has been made yet. The table above is sorted by score, based on public evidence.
How are USB kill switches and anti-forensics rated?
Each entry answers 4 questions: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. Answers need links to evidence. See the full criteria.