Many people have encountered this situation: they bought a large-capacity USB flash drive or mobile hard drive at a low price, and there seemed to be no problem when using it, but at critical moments, important data could not be read. Behind this may not be a simple lack of capacity, but a carefully designed storage fraud.
How false capacity works
Typically these fraudulent devices have a smaller real memory chip built into them, for example 64GB. When you connect it to your computer, it will report a falsely huge capacity to the system, such as 1TB. In the file manager, you can create folders and rename files normally, and the system will also display that the files have been successfully copied.
At the core of the problem, the key point is that the device firmware has been maliciously modified. When you implement the write data behavior, the first 64GB is exactly stored in the real storage space. Once this true capacity range is exceeded, subsequent data will not be stored, but the system will receive false feedback such as "write successful". The device only retains the directory information of the files, causing you to mistakenly think that all files are safely saved.
Risks and Consequences of Data Loss
When using a device with this kind of fake capacity, data loss is an inevitable result. When you try to read the files "stored" in the false space, the files may be damaged and cannot be opened, or they may directly appear as empty files. For users who back up important documents, users who back up work data, and users who back up family photos, this kind of loss is irreparable.
A more insidious risk lies in the fact that data loss does not occur immediately. Users may be able to use it normally for several months, only to discover that there is a problem on a specific day when they need to access those old files. At this moment, not only the original files are likely to have been deleted from the computer, but it is also extremely difficult to trace and restore them, because the data has actually never been written in from beginning to end.
Basic principles of detection tools
There is a professional capacity detection tool that relies on the way specific data is written and verified to identify fraud. This tool will not easily believe the capacity data reported by the storage device. It will write unique test data to each logical sector in the storage device, then immediately read the written data back, and then carefully compare the two.
This process is random and unpredictable. The tool will bypass the file system and directly conduct a large number of spot checks on the physical storage space. If the device cannot correctly store or return data in a certain area, it means that the area is fake. This underlying verification method can make it impossible for tampered device firmware to deceive.
How to choose reliable detection tools
When choosing a tool, pay attention to whether it uses "binary mode" or "physical layer" testing. A good tool will usually clearly state that it performs "unspoofable" raw data read and write verification. Users can check relevant reviews and user feedback on some well-known technical forums or software download sites.
It is recommended to give priority to tools that are actively updated and maintained and have a long history. There are some open source tools. Since their codes are public, their detection logic can withstand testing, which is also a good choice. Avoid so-called "one-click detection" software whose sources are unclear and whose functional descriptions are vague.
A method of preliminary judgment on your own
Before resorting to professional tools, users can make preliminary judgments through some simple operations. For example, try to copy a large number of files to a new device that far exceeds half of its advertised capacity, such as copying a movie or compressed package exceeding 500GB to a nominal 1TB disk. After copying, immediately disconnect the device, then connect it again, and then open several files to verify its integrity.
Another way to look at write speed is to look at it. If the speed of the device appears normal at the beginning of writing, but at a certain node (for example, after reaching 60 to 70GB) the speed suddenly becomes extremely slow or extremely unstable. This situation most likely means that the device is repeatedly performing overwriting operations, but it is only covering a limited real storage space, and this is actually a symptom of fraud.
Tips to prevent buying counterfeit goods
Prevention is more advantageous than remedy. When purchasing storage equipment, you should choose officially authorized channels or merchants with good reputations. You must be alert to those "large-capacity" products that are far lower than the average market price. After receiving the product, you must immediately use reliable tools to carry out full-capacity testing, and start storing important data after confirming that there are no errors.
It is feasible to write down the model number and serial number on the product packaging and check it with the information identified inside the device. For products purchased online, complete purchase records and communication records should be kept. Once they are found to be fake, these can be used as proof of rights protection.
Have you ever encountered the problem of "shrinking" storage devices, or do you have any practical experience to share in identifying fakes? You are welcome to leave a message in the comment area to start a discussion. At the same time, we also kindly ask you to like and support so that more friends can see it.
