A common way to connect serial devices to a computer USB port is for device manufacturers to use a chip manufactured by FTDI. This chip is used in many devices such as the Arduino and other microcontrollers and test equipment.
FTDI recently made available a new driver for their chip via Windows update and this new driver, if it detects a counterfeit FTDI chip, will permanently "brick" or make the chip inoperable. FTDI has been criticized for deliberately causing permanent damage to equipment even if the owner is not aware of the presence of a counterfeit chip. Once detected by the new driver the chip becomes permanently unusable.
Here's a link to the story:
http://www.zdnet.com/ftdi-admits-to-bricking-innocent-users-chips-in-silent-update-7000035019/
FTDI has backtracked on this and the driver has been removed from the Windows update but it is not clear what future action will be taken to fight the counterfeiting of their chip.
If you click on the Hackaday link in the above link you will find more information.
If you are using devices which connect via the USB port then you might be wary of allowing a driver update.
Neil
Knowing that a software routine can potentially blow a chip is terrifying.
If such know-how spreads, we could have our tires blown out leaving us stranded on the information highway.
There are a couple of methods which have been posted on hobby boards for unbricking these devices. One involves the use of software from FTDI to reprogram the disabled chips.
Neil