‘Anti-5G quantum machine’ turns out to just be 128MB USB drive
Scammers look to capitalize on conspiracy theorists' 5G fears
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Conspiracy theories surrounding the negative effects of5Ghave become increasingly popular online, and scammers are now looking to capitalise with fake products claimed to protect against these made-up claims.
Now a company called BioShield Distribution has launched a new device which it claims can protect users from them using “quantum holographic catalyzer technology”.
The 5GBioShield recently went on sale in the UK for £283 ($348), with its creators claiming it could protect a users' entire home from 5G. However a strip-down test has now revealed that the device is actually just a cheap USB stick with a sticker attached, offering no protection to any dangers, real or imagined.
Despite the fact that extensive research has been done on the negative effects of 5G and even the World Health Organization (WHO) says the technology is safe, anti-5G campaigners believe that next-generation-networks can cause a range of health problems and some have even linked 5G to thespread of the coronavirus.
On itswebsite, BioShield Distribution provides further details on the technology inside its product, saying:
“The 5GBioShield USB Key with the nano-layer is a quantum holographic catalyzer technology for the balance and harmonisation of the harmful effects of imbalanced electric radiation. The nano-layer operating diameter is either 8 or 40 meters. The 5GBioShield USB Key is resulting from research of several decades in multiple countries. The active key operating diameter shields and harmonizes a complete family home.”
5GBioShield
To see if Bioshield Distribution’s claims were true or the company is just masquerading an ordinary USB key as a device capable of protecting users from the effects of 5G, Ken Munro and his colleague Phil Eveleigh from Pen Test Partners ordered a 5GBioShield and dismantled the USB key.
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In ablog post, Pen Test Partners detailed its tear down of the key as well as what it found inside, saying:
“As everyone is fully aware it is a USB key, we needed to tear the device down to see what else is within the casing. First, we managed to pull the device off the crystal, which showed nothing other than an LED at the end of the stick, the same as the other ‘crystal’ USB keys we found made in Shenzen. There were no additional components or any connections. The circular area on the main casing looked like it might be where the “quantum holographic catalyzer technology” transmitter might be. Carefully taking that off, not to damage the key components and, with crushing disappointment, it looked exactly like a regular sticker.”
Despite its high asking price, the 5GBioShield is actually a standard USB key with just 128MB of storage. However, this still hasn’t stopped consumers from buying the product though as both the one pack and three pack of 5GBioShield USB Keys are currently on backorder on BioShield Distribution’s website at the time of writing.
ViaThe Verge
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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