Would You Plug Into These Mystery Drives?

[Doomsday2007]

Words by Casey Chan at Gizmodo

"Across New York, there are USB drives embedded in walls, buildings and curbs. The idea is to create an anonymous, offline file-sharing network in public space. The drives are completely public and anyone can plug in to drop and download files.

It's part of an art project called "Dead Drops" by Aram Bartholl and I have to say, it's pretty awesomely creative. I mean, if I saw a USB stick stick out of a random wall, I'd be dying to know what's in there. I'd have to plug in. It'd also be interesting to see what people would anonymously share on the public drive, well, until some jackass decides to upload a virus to screw up everybody's computer."

http://thumb.dumparump.com/29/foS8u20.jpg (http://www.dumparump.com/view.php?id=foS8u20)

http://thumb.dumparump.com/109/sA8752m.png (http://www.dumparump.com/view.php?id=sA8752m)

I like the concept of offline file sharing, and the art projects looks cool, but this seems too tempting for people to exploit with viruses and other shenanigans. Would you plug your drive into just any hole? (Yes, I was trying at a sexual pun).

[MonStaR]

Na i wouldn't do it. There could be a big govt supercomputer behind that wall that steals or searches your hd's for keywords like "Allah,Bomb,Terrorists" and then marks u with a red flag and then you will have the Fed's at your door haha.. I just don't trust the whole idea, I understand the art concept of it. It is cool and unique. But not for me :)

[Doomsday2007]

Haha, though I'd be more worried they'd search for "torrent" and "downloads", and then cut off my internet access! :)

[MonStaR]

Yea no kidding. Its prob some sort of technological study to see what the most popular thing is on peoples computers or something similar?? I wonder how big the Drives are?? Even so i couldn't imagine someone going out and wasting money on a huge flash drive for shits and giggles. Id keep that stuff for myself haha :)

[Levitys]

Its actually a really cool idea but like you said it has potential to be disastrous. If it went on long enough and the right douche seen this it would be over for everyone. I never really understood viruses. I mean, ok, If your going to steal someone's info I get it. You dont have to destroy their computer in the process though. I guess what I mean is that I dont understand why someone would just create a virus for destructions sake.

I would do it if I had a crappy computer that I didnt care about, but there is no way Id plug a macbook into that sucker.

Still, cool idea!

[tara]

if i go to red light district and stumble one of this with a note write "please download me and 'subscribe' me if you satisfied" i give a try.

[xXxCloudxXx]

I never really understood viruses. I mean, ok, If your going to steal someone's info I get it. You dont have to destroy their computer in the process though. I guess what I mean is that I dont understand why someone would just create a virus for destructions sake.

If you create a virus that destroys people's computers and then you sell an antivirus which fixes the damage then you would be rich. If you create a really good virus that beats the other antiviruses and your antivirus is the only one that can remove the virus then bingo people buy yours over someone elses.

Also doing it for the sake of doing it is the other culprit

[DudeNukeM]

Yeah, I'd have to check it out, on a separate partition just be be some what safe. Here's the original blog of the guy who is starting this, I like how he has pix and addresses to point ppl to the locations.

http://datenform.de/blog/dead-drops-preview/

[MonStaR]

I also heard that antivirus companies make the viruses for job security :)

[monkeymonkey]

Plugging in there would be as stupid as poking yourself with a 'public' seringe for your computer..

[leobeers]

hell yeah with someone elses laptop

not long before it will be filled with filth and viruses and they'll be a suspicious stain next the the slot!!