When asked to think about a rubber duck, the average person would probably envision a yellow toy that kids play with, usually when taking a bath.
In the information technology field, however, rubber ducks signify more than just a toy. To those in the software industry, rubber ducks are tools used for debugging and hacking.
No longer the staples of childhood bathtime, rubber ducks are used by programmers as debugging companions. Often referred to as “rubber duck debugging,” this practice is a simple yet surprisingly effective tactic. When programmers encounter a particularly troublesome bug or a problem in their code, they explain the code and their thought process out loud to the rubber duck, as if the duck were an attentive listener.
The act of verbalizing the problem forces the programmers to slow down and articulate their thoughts, which can often lead them to identify the issue themselves. A form of cognitive debugging, the act of explaining the code helps the programmer understand it better by breaking complex problems down into smaller, more manageable parts. By walking through the code step by step, they can often pinpoint exactly where any flaws or logical errors occur.
Apart from this effective debugging tactic, rubber ducks signal another aspect of software – hacking USBs. Theoretically, this tool is utilized for penetration testing. Security experts can use rubber duckies to test the resiliency of their computers systems. However, it can also be used by hackers for keystroke injection attacks. When plugged into a computer’s USB port, they emulate a keyboard and can type out pre-programmed keystrokes at an extremely rapid pace, often faster than a human could type.
Posing a significant threat to computer security, USB rubber duckies can bypass common security measures to automate attacks, exploit physical access, and evade traditional security measures. Incredibly dangerous tools like the Hak5 USB Rubber Ducky exploit the trust that computers place in activities such as clicking and typing. Because these actions are typically associated with humans, computers are less likely to have security measures built in. USB rubber duckies can be pre-loaded with scripts that automate various malicious actions, such as installing malware, stealing sensitive data, or reconfiguring system settings. Once plugged in, they execute these scripts with lightning speed, making it difficult for users to detect and respond to the attack in real-time. Additionally, unlike remote hacking methods that rely on exploiting vulnerabilities over a network, USB rubber duckies require physical access to the target system. This makes them particularly dangerous in scenarios where an attacker can physically access a computer, such as in an office setting, where unattended workstations are common. USB rubber duckies can also be easily disguised as innocent-looking USB drives, making them effective tools for social engineering attacks. USB rubber duckies can bypass traditional security measures that focus on detecting malicious software or network-based attacks. Since they appear as standard keyboards to the computer’s operating system, they often go unnoticed by antivirus software or intrusion detection systems.
Organizations and individuals should be aware of the risks associated with these devices and take steps to mitigate them, such as implementing strict access controls, educating users about the dangers of plugging in unknown USB devices, and deploying endpoint security solutions that can detect and prevent unauthorized keystroke injections.
While the image of a rubber duck may evoke memories of childhood innocence for many, its significance in the realm of information technology transcends mere nostalgia. From its role as a trusted debugging companion in software development to its potential as a formidable tool for hackers in the form of USB rubber duckies, this seemingly innocuous object embodies both creativity and danger. As technology continues to evolve, understanding both the playful and perilous aspects of innovations like rubber ducks is crucial for safeguarding digital systems and maintaining a secure computing environment.
Sources:
Dahmane, A. (2016, March 24). USB Rubber Ducky — Basic Use Case Scenario. Medium. https://medium.com/@dahmane/usb-rubber-ducky-basic-use-case-scenario-51b2fcbe2f5e
Faife, C. (2022, August 16). The new USB Rubber Ducky is more dangerous than ever. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/23308394/usb-rubber-ducky-review-hack5-defcon-duckyscript
Kahmen, J. (2023, May 12). Awareness with a USB Rubber Ducky. Turingpoint. https://turingpoint.de/en/blog/awareness-with-a-usb-rubber-ducky/#:~:text=A%20USB%20Rubber%20Ducky%20is
Rubber Duck Debugging: History and Benefits. (2023, April 7). Masterycoding.com. https://www.masterycoding.com/blog/rubber-duck-debugging-history-and-benefits#:~:text=Rubber%20duck%20debugging%20is%20a%20simple%20but%20effective%20technique%20used
Rubber ducky attack definition – Glossary | NordVPN. (2023, August 9). Nordvpn.com. https://nordvpn.com/cybersecurity/glossary/rubber-ducky-attack/#:~:text=A%20rubber%20ducky%20attack%2C%20also
Subastil, A. C. (2020, August 12). The Psychology Behind Rubber Duck Debugging. Medium. https://medium.com/@arnoldcsubastil/the-psychology-behind-rubber-duck-debugging-f19141c70060
