Using external keyboard and mouse on Qubes

[newbie]

@qubes-kernel-5.8

Such as some modern desktops don’t include PS/2 connections, forcing you to use a keyboard with sys-usb (if you’re not careful during setup, or if QubesOS has a bug, you might get locked out). Also you need to give up a USB controller to untrusted keyboard firmware (unless you have $300 to spend on the Launch keyboard by System76 with open firmware).

i see, so there is worry about USB keyboard firmware,
maybe we can use PS/2 to USB converter, if the desktop doesn’t have PS/2 port,
what do you think ?

yes, i have just realized, that desktop user doesn’t use built-in keyboard and touch pad,
so desktop user is using attached keyboard and mouse (USB or PS/2) ,
then how do we setup these external keyboard and mouse in Qubes ?
By attaching sys-usb to app VM ?
then if we switch appVM , do we have to detach and re-attach sys-usb to other VM ?

how about LCD extension ?
is there firmware inside LCD extension ?
should we worry about this firmware ?

[fsflover]

@newbie

then how do we setup these external keyboard and mouse in Qubes ?
By attaching sys-usb to app VM ?

Device handling security

USB qubes

[qubes-kernel-5.8]

I’m not an expert on the security risks of firmware or of USB controllers. But I’ve certainly heard on this forum that a malicious USB could compromise the firmware of the USB controller with which the USB will have a connection.

I don’t know about LCD extensions. I’m careful with USBs because they’re so common and someone could easily infect them.