For many IT managers USB port connectivity can still pose a large threat to company security.  One quick down-and-dirty method is disabling the read and write from any system USB port.  This can be done through a quick registry edit.

Here is the full Microsoft article explaining how to disable a USB port (link). Note:  This is a registry edit so be sure to backup your registry first and know how to restore it in case something terrible happens.

To disable the access to USB port, in windows XP and 2000:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 4, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

To re-enable a disabled port:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 3, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

I reported a while back on a product called Unlocker if you are having problems unlocking your USB drive from a Windows operating system. Today I bring you another package which does the same function; however, is easier to use.

USB Drive Ejector is a simple utility which lists all USB devices on your buss and with a double click - you can unlock and eject the device.

This is a great tool to have in case you’ve ran into:

1. Cannot delete file, access denied
2. Sharing violation
3. Source destination file in use
4. File is in use by another program, etc.

However, you should always proceed with caution when a stubborn drive wont eject. Sometimes…and I mean sometimes…there are reasons. Such as virus software scanning the memory device or Windows writing to the device in cache memory. These examples are far and few between so a couple of common sense activities might be in order, such as (more…)

I don’t own an iPhone, but my neighbor & buddy & fellow entrepreneur does. Recently he showed me some cool things he’s done with the phone. So here are 6 iPhone hacks any iPhone owner would probably want [to check out]. Note: You take responsibility for your actions.

1. iPhone Interface Tool - This toolkit lets you move files around on the iPhone, run any desired applications on the iPhone or activate the phone without iTunes.
2. Use LED lights to create your own flash for the iPhone camera.
3. Drop your iPhone and broke the screen? No problem, learn how to replace it here.
4. Here’s another way to unlock your iPhone SIM card.
5. Include the WiFi music store with this firmware version of 1.1.1 release.
6. Not a true “hack” in the traditional sense, but create and order your own customized cover design for the iPhone.

When my buddy isn’t chatting it up on his iPhone or texting with the footer “Sent from my iPhone” he runs a nice little Photo Birth Announcements business. (more…)

So it turns out a white onion is not only good for salsa, but good for charging iPods too. Here is a video showing you how to charge an iPod with an onion, Gatorade and USB cable.

I knew those electro-lights are good for something. For those not interested in watching a 3 minute video here is the down-n-dirty:

• put two holes on either side of your onion with screwdriver
• soak the thing in Gatorade until most is gone (about 1 cup worth)
• use the iPod USB cable and push in the USB connector into the onion.

Your iPod will then turn on and charge shortly there after. So for about 1 cup of gatoraid soaked into the onion will get you about 30 minutes of charge time.

Source: TreeHugger, YouTube link
If you like this we have other USB hacks and USB Tutorials.

Do you have a UPS that went south on you? Don’t throw it away, turn it into the ultimate hard drive storage spot.

Our good friend Alan from Hacked Gadgets found this 77 second video on hacking your broken UPS to include a USB drive. Who would ever think to look in a UPS for your porn library secret files.

[Thanks Alan] link to video here.

As if you need one more device for storing files you eventually can never find, the iPod Touch can now be used as a USB mass storage device.

At this time, the following hack only applies to MacFanBoys - I’ll post a PC solution when found.

Per TUAW:

You know that “Enable disk use” checkbox? The one that appears in iTunes for most modern iPods? That checkbox isn’t there for the iPod touch. The touch provides no built-in disk access utilities but if you have an Intel Mac, and aren’t afraid of the command line, you can use these Media Folder utilities to copy files to and from your touch.

Note: To follow updates jump over to TUAW.

Is your UFD stuffed with portable applications? Do you find yourself constantly exploring the USB drive to launch your program? If so, forget about it. Use PStart.

I while back I wrote an article about 55 Portable Applications to Make a Super Stick - well that list is nothing without the PStart tray tool. (PStart is apart of that list too).

Pstart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications from their flash drive. Designed to run portable applications you can start anything without actually opening up and exploring your flash drive - do it right from your desktop tray.

Of course Pstart is as portable as your applications and will work on any PC system.

PStart has four useful tabs to help in your daily routine. Items, Search, Notes and Info. Here’s a break down: (more…)