Is Your USB Stick a Scam? Here’s How to Find Out!

In the age of online shopping, convenience comes with its pitfalls, especially when it comes to purchasing technology products like USB sticks. Many consumers have fallen victim to fraudulent sales, particularly when the advertised storage capacity far exceeds the actual size. This blog post delves into how to determine whether your USB stick is a rip-off and offers practical solutions to verify its authenticity.

Understanding the Risks of Buying USB Sticks Online

Purchasing USB sticks online can be tempting, especially when you see offers for high-capacity drives at incredibly low prices. For instance, a seller might list a tiny USB stick claiming it has 2TB of storage for just a few euros. However, such deals often signal potential scams. It is crucial to verify the actual functionality of these devices upon arrival.

Step-by-Step Guide to Testing Your USB Stick

  1. Initial Setup: Once you receive your USB stick, the first step is to connect it to your computer and check the detected size using terminal commands. 
   lsblk

  1. Install F3 Tool: To accurately assess the USB stick's capacity, install f3, a command-line utility specifically designed to detect fraudulent flash drives. This tool consists of two main utilities: f3write and f3read.

  2. Writing Test Files: Use f3write to fill the USB drive with test files of fixed sizes.

   f3write /path/to/your/usb

  1. Reading and Verifying: After writing, run f3read to check if the files can be read back correctly. Any discrepancies indicate that the drive may not have the advertised capacity.

  2. Using F3 Probe for Quick Results: For a faster assessment, you can use f3probe, which checks the device directly rather than through its mount point.

   sudo f3probe --destructive --time-ops /dev/sdX
  1. Interpreting Results: The output will reveal the true usable size of your USB stick. If it shows significantly less than what was promised, you likely have a counterfeit product.

Conclusion

If you discover that your USB stick is indeed a scam, consider using the f3fix command to adjust its reported size, allowing for more accurate usage moving forward. Always remember that while online shopping offers convenience, it also requires vigilance to avoid falling victim to fraudulent sales.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your tech purchases are legitimate and avoid wasting money on subpar products. Stay informed and protect yourself from scams in the digital marketplace!

Citations: [1] https://thejoe.it/en/2024/03/13/f3-come-capire-se-la-chiavetta-usb-che-hai-comprato-e-una-fregatura/