USB, a portable storage device used for tasks, work, etc., is one of the most commonly used computer peripherals. According to Western Digital research, the average user worldwide owns three USBs, and 75% of respondents said they plan to purchase additional USBs in the future.

There are USBs of various brands and capacities being sold in domestic open markets, but among some USBs, there are suspicious USBs with ridiculously high capacities and very low prices compared to the market price, so consumers need to be careful.

Currently, high-capacity USB drives with capacities of 1 to 2 TB are being sold at low prices in open markets. Many of these USBs are so-called 'fake' USBs with manipulated capacity and are being sold on domestic open markets.

When the e4ds news reporting team purchased and investigated one of the products being distributed, it was discovered that the product had false specifications.

The disassembly results revealed that it was USB 2.0, despite being labeled as USB 3.0, and the results confirmed through inspection software showed that it had been carefully manipulated, but it is estimated that it does not have a terabyte-level product capacity.

Currently, 2TB products are sold for around 300,000 won, and 1TB products are priced from 120,000 won to 250,000 won. Fake USBs are sold for 20,000 to 30,000 won, which is cheaper than this, and many of them are overseas direct purchase products that require a personal customs clearance number when purchasing.

Aside from the fact that they are relatively inexpensive, it is difficult to tell the difference in appearance, which is causing many consumers to suffer. In relation to this, it seems necessary to establish consumer protection measures such as management of bad sellers in open markets.

Kim Ryong, head of e4ds Electronics Technology Research Institute, said, “The SK Hynix 1TB chipset in circulation costs 128,000 won, so I urge caution when purchasing products with ridiculous prices,” and expressed concern, saying, “Consumers’ trust in the brands may be undermined if brands that have been copied from counterfeit devices are left unattended.”

The specific investigation process regarding the 'fake USB' can be confirmed through the video.