Hacknect has launched a USB cable on Kickstarter that functions as a covert hacking and automation platform while appearing to be an ordinary charger [1, 2].

The device represents a significant shift in hardware-based security risks because it allows attackers or researchers to maintain remote access to a target system through Wi-Fi. By disguising complex electronics inside a common peripheral, the tool bypasses visual inspections that typically identify unauthorized hardware.

The cable contains a hidden microcontroller, microSD storage, and Wi-Fi capabilities [1, 2]. These components allow the user to execute remote automation and penetration testing tasks without needing a physical connection to a keyboard or a visible external device [1, 2]. The design is intended for security researchers and hobbyists who require a stealthy method for testing network vulnerabilities.

According to the project details, the Hacknect USB cable is priced at $82 [1]. The integration of a microcontroller allows the device to emulate various human interface devices, which can be used to inject keystrokes or exfiltrate data to the onboard microSD card [1, 2].

Because the device is Wi-Fi-enabled, a user can control the cable from a distance. This eliminates the need for the operator to remain physically tethered to the infected machine, a common limitation of traditional USB-based hacking tools like Rubber Duckies. The stealthy form factor ensures that the hardware remains undetected even when plugged into a workstation in a public or corporate environment [1, 2].

“The device represents a significant shift in hardware-based security risks.”

The emergence of consumer-accessible, disguised hardware like Hacknect underscores the growing threat of 'supply chain' or 'social engineering' attacks. While marketed for researchers, the availability of such tools means that standard physical security protocols—such as simply glancing at a plugged-in cable—are no longer sufficient to ensure a system is not compromised by a remote-access Trojan in hardware form.