UFD’s Are a Gateway to Data Breaches
Recently the head of marketing for SanDisk, Dror Todress, made a claim where “there are endless examples of data breaches…” then immediately sites an example of a stolen US Army UFD (USB Flash Drive) being purchased from a reporter just 200 yards from an army base in Afghanistan.
Todress goes on to explain most IT managers understand and are aware of such security risks and most employees who bring in USB drives or MP3 players with mass storage capability do not have malicious intentions. However, this doesn’t mean valuable information IS leaving the building.
Considering between 80% – 90% of UFDs do not have encryption software, I thought to browse back through my USB Security category and list out a couple articles which could be of help.
USB lock – a physical blocking of USB port
Free open-source USB encryption software – TrueCrypt
Visual password protector
Disable writing to USB drives on Windows systems
IT management software to control USB endpoints
SanDisk’s answer
Windows Vista locks out USB (actually I don’t think it ever worked)
Wireless PC lock from USB dongle
Another PC port blocking software package
There are a host of other USB devices with security features in my USB security category, but those are device specific not network specific.
Rich Gates
Administator for GetUSB.info
GetUSB.info started in 2004 with the concept of providing USB information for everything USB related. At the time, USB was gaining momentum and every day new products, articles and news became published. Today, the site is focused on bringing technical information, tricks and hacks to USB related products. The site does publish off topic information as well, to keep the variety up. Please visit the footer area of any page if you or your company is interested in article or product placement via purchased advertising.