Cybercriminals who spend their lives looking over their shoulders, terrified of being caught red-handed by law enforcement with a laptop full of incriminating information can breathe a little easier, thanks to an empty USB drive and some simple code.

That’s because a coder who goes by the name “Hephaestos” has just released a Python script that, once saved onto your trusty USB drive, effectively transforms it into a kill switch that bricks your computer as soon as it’s unplugged.

USBkill, as it’s been dubbed, “waits for a change on your USB ports, then immediately kills your computer,” insists its creator.

According to Hephaestos, the tool is reliable enough that it should prevent anyone who happens to be running the next variant of the Silk Road from becoming the next Ross Ulbricht, who was recently convicted of running the notorious online drug marketplace. The cops snatched Ulbricht as he was carrying out site adminstrative tasks on his laptop in a local library, and unfortunately for him his PC didn’t have a kill switch, which meant proof of his criminal deeds was there for all to see.

Hephaestos says that cops typically install a mouse jiggler onto seized machines as a way of keeping the sleep mode from activating. “If this happens you would like your computer to shut down immediately,” writes Hephaestos. The coder says that all you need to do is attach your USB to a cord tied around your wrist, so it can be quickly yanked out in case of a bust.

The self-described developer of “software for freedom” adds that he’ll update USBkill with additional commands and capabilities at a later date, but says the current version functions properly.

The tool is most effective when running a virtual machine that simply vaporizes after a reboot, but it can also be useful if your hard drive is encrypted. Failing to take that simple measure however, will render the tool useless. Of course, suspects are reminded that failing to hand over your passwords to the police could land you in even bigger trouble.

Admittedly, USBkill isn’t really a necessary tool for the vast majority of users, but it’s still an interesting look at defensive mechanisms hackers and cybercriminals are employing in case their online war turns physical.