Can PCB’s contain spyware?

I'm thinking about purchasing a keyboard PCB from someone overseas, but I'm not 100% sure if it's safe. The firmware I'm going to install is QMK which is open source and I feel safe using it. However, the PCB itself is making me a bit paranoid.

Possible, yes. But hardly probable.

Unless you have motives to believe someone would put lots of money into an operation to infect you specifically, you don’t need to worry.

  • Not only a custom hardware implant is expensive to create.
  • But also you will flash a custom firmware.
  • Software implants are cheaper and easier.

If you are a special target for working for a government, large corporation, news or human rights organization, ask your technical support team for directions.

Read More: A Guide to Best Electronic Manufacturing Companies

#PCB Assembly #Consume Electronics

Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.
Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

What Others Are Asking

Read Detailed Advice From Blog Articles

9 Common SMD Components You Must Know
Will Li

9 Common SMD Components You Must Know

I’ve always been fascinated by the tiny electronic components that power our modern devices. As I’ve learned more about electronics, I discovered the world of

Will Li

SMD Soldering: A Step-By-Step Guide

SMD soldering refers to the process of soldering surface mount electronic components to printed circuit boards. As electronic devices and PCBs have gotten progressively smaller,

Scroll to Top