‘Please don’t pass to the Chinese’: NZ businesses cop mysterious USBs and creepy notes
A mysterious, masked woman has been caught delivering thumb drives with creepy notes to various businesses, prompting warnings to locals.
Technology
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Folks across the ditch in New Zealand are being reminded not to put random USBs into their computers as a spate of businesses receive deliveries of thumb drives with cryptic “anti-Chinese” notes from a masked woman.
Along with the USB, the envelopes are said to contain bizarre notes with one reading, “Brand new USB – please protect your country and people (important).”
“Taxpayer and university student should know the truth and protect your family and your safety.”
“Please don’t pass to the Chinese.”
On Thursday, New Zealand publication Stuff.co.nz revealed that the woman responsible for the deliveries around the Invercargill area had been in touch, expressing concern over her photo being published.
In photos shared online and published by media, the mysterious woman is shown wearing a mask, a large-brimmed hat and a large coat and is not easily identifiable.
The publication took the opportunity to quiz the elusive woman, though it yielded little information.
“They need to read what is in there, very important,” she told the publication.
While most who received the USB steered clear of them, those who did view the content claimed it was material critical of the Chinese Communist Party and aired allegations of spying in New Zealand.
Not much else is known about the 61-year-old woman who was reportedly trespassed by local police in late June.
Invercargill IT business Focus Technology Group took it upon themselves to remind locals not to use random USBs.
“We believe the individual may be moving from town to town to deliver these to many businesses,” the business said.
“It is crucial that you exercise caution and refrain from inserting these untrusted USB sticks into any of your machines or devices.
“The motives behind this individual’s actions remain unknown, but it is important to be aware that such USB sticks can pose serious security risks.”
Originally published as ‘Please don’t pass to the Chinese’: NZ businesses cop mysterious USBs and creepy notes
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