Hidden Memory Mod (Complete)

I have wanted to do a hidden memory mod for some time now. At work I am exposed to information about all the sneaky places to hide contraband. And combined with my Computer Forensic training, I have been dieing to do a Proof of Concept that anything could contain data, and Computer Forensic Analysts should never focus just on the HDD.

There are 4 requirements:

1. The device must remain fully functional.
2. The device must show no signs of modification to the naked eye.
3. The memory mod must use off the shelf items to prove anyone can complete it. (No custom circuit boards, or expensive gadgets.)
4. The device item must be a common item to a PC and easily overlooked. (no gutted UPS's with connected serial cables for example) "The best place to hide something is in plain sight".

My first attempt was a failure. I tried to hide memory into a Microsoft mouse. To keep a long story short, I was not able to slip a USB hub (the size of 2 AA batteries) into the mouse casing, no matter how much I carved out of it. 2 days and 3 mice later I put the project on indefinite hold.

...Until this beauty arrived in my office. With a on board 2-port USB hub, it was almost too easy.

The USB Keyboard Memory Mod.

Supplies:
1 USB keyboard with built in HUB
1 Female USB cable
Phillips Screw Driver
Soldering Gun & fine solder
Multimeter
Flash Memory Drive (any size)

Time: ~2 hours


Your average run of the mill USB keyboard, plenty of internal cavity to work with.


A couple inch USB extension cable. Cut off the male end and strip it back just a little bit.


Tear down the keyboard and remove its circuit board. Using a multimeter match the colored wires to their counterpart on the circuit board below the USB port. Then solder it on. Excuse the yellow electrical tape, one of the wires was fraying and touching its neighbor. Its delicate work, definitely the smallest wires I have ever soldered.



Assemble. There is plenty of room in here for many things powered over a single USB port. Currently you can buy 32GB flash drives at my favorite store, that could be a lot of overlooked damning information.




Once its all togeather, the only tell tale signs are the hole in the sticker to access a screw. One nonworking USB port, should you try to use it... And a drive will show up if you plug it into your PC.


Done! One working Keyboard with working memory.

This is only a proof-of-concept. I do not advocate illegal activity's, I do advocate privacy. Not that it matters because you use TrueCrypt anyway....right?

DIGG

Nifty.

Sweet deal!!

Very nice!

it would be neat if you could put some kind of switch on it so that it only shows up on the computer when you want it to.

You could probably hide the drive under the front bezel of the case, most cases have cables going to the front for the built in usb ports. Im sure you could either feed from those or just simply run another cable with them. Im sure you could rig up a simple disconnect switch with a little soldering.

neat idea to hide the porn from the GF if she is computer literate and simply knows to check the fake "SYSTEM" folder

Wouldn't a person carrying around their own mouse, or especially their own keyboard, be much more suspicious than someone with a thumb drive in their pocket?

"Sure Frank, I'll help you with your workstation. Just let me plug in this keyboard that you have no room for on your desktop."

Don't get me wrong. Personal storage in a keyboard or mouse is nifty. But as an espionage tool, I don't see it.

I think the OP was doing this to prove that you can't focus on just the HD during an investigation and that other methods of personal data storage are possible and investigators need to think outside the box. More like a CEO has his computer seized due to embezzlement and the investigative team just looks at the files on the hard drive instead of all the PC components for possible evidence .

OP, I am sure you could find a USB hub and thumb drive that would fit in a mouse if you found the right hub to start with. The ASUS EEE PC moding people have managed to stuff tons of stuff including USB hubs and thumb drives into their already crammed laptops.

KrylonArt said:

I think the OP was doing this to prove that you can't focus on just the HD during an investigation and that other methods of personal data storage are possible and investigators need to think outside the box. More like a CEO has his computer seized due to embezzlement and the investigative team just looks at the files on the hard drive instead of all the PC components for possible evidence .

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You nailed it perfectly. I would add more info about persional experiences but then I would have to kill you.

Nanan said:

OP, I am sure you could find a USB hub and thumb drive that would fit in a mouse if you found the right hub to start with. The ASUS EEE PC moding people have managed to stuff tons of stuff including USB hubs and thumb drives into their already crammed laptops.

Click to expand...

The one I have and try to use is a Targus Super Mini

The big problem is it needs to be plugged into 2 usb ports for power, that would require changing the usb cable out of the mouse and would void one of the requirements.

Plus twice as much soldering would be needed to rewire the mouse into one of its free ports.

Aku12 said:

it would be neat if you could put some kind of switch on it so that it only shows up on the computer when you want it to.

You could probably hide the drive under the front bezel of the case, most cases have cables going to the front for the built in usb ports. Im sure you could either feed from those or just simply run another cable with them. Im sure you could rig up a simple disconnect switch with a little soldering.

neat idea to hide the porn from the GF if she is computer literate and simply knows to check the fake "SYSTEM" folder

Click to expand...

Sweet idea. maybe you could use the reset switch, or if the case is old enough, a Turbo button. "it's turbo time!"

Good work.

warmace said:

You nailed it perfectly. I would add more info about persional experiences but then I would have to kill you.

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One of my friends is a special agent for the CID, so I've actually had some pretty interesting conversations about topics like this before. Weird things like a Soldier taking time to restitch the covering on his government issued housing furniture in Germany so that he could hide marijuana he bought in Amsterdam and such. LOL, but when I saw this worklog the first thing I could think of was the scene from "The Recruit" were the thumb drive is concealed in the bottom of the coffee thermos.

Wow, that's really a pretty slick idea.

warmace said:

The one I have and try to use is a Targus Super Mini http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4206/t222209maincass0.jpg

The big problem is it needs to be plugged into 2 usb ports for power, that would require changing the usb cable out of the mouse and would void one of the requirements.

Plus twice as much soldering would be needed to rewire the mouse into one of its free ports.

Click to expand...

Actually, it doesn't need 2 USB ports to power it. That's only in case you want to plug bus powered USB harddisks into it.