Hi all
From a slightly different angle, and not wishing hijack this thread, we encountered a similar problem with password security on pen drives. We did a test using a Verbatim USB pen drive with their V-Safe Password Security. The drive was visible without a problem but the software to access the secured area, which was loaded and executed from the usb drive, would only run if the user had local administrator rights. We checked and it did not appear to install any software/registry key(s) on the PC but basically "no rights no run". We opened a call with Verbatim who's response was "that's the way it's meant to work"!
The concept of securing the data is good against possible loss of the drive, yes we can recommend that users password protect the individual files using that applications security features, but the response is that their usb drive security works at home and the one password to access everything on the device is easier.
I'd be interested to hear how others are tackling this issue as I am sure it's going to come up with greater frequency.
Regards
Martyn
>>> David Wilson <[log in to unmask]> 30/08/2007 09:24 >>>
Brian
In my experience "dumb" USB flash drives work fine because they're using
generic drivers already installed in Windows. Problems can arise when
using devices that try and install their own software/drivers. These
are usually the more "bells and whistles" devices that have security
features built in. I'm not aware of any way around this if you want to
prevent users from installing other types of software. User education
is really the best bet - don't user overly fancy flash drives, or if you
must then get them set up with any pool kit in advance of your
lecture/presentation etc.
David
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|David Wilson
|Staff PC Services
|Computing Services
|Loughborough University
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|ext. 2649
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From: Support issues for windows in UK HE & FE
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brian Milner
Sent: 30 August 2007 09:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: USB devices sysprep/uiu/DF6
We have a problem where seemingly:
1) Users require admin privileges to install USB flash drive drivers.
2) Guest lecturers and foreign (and domestic) students bring in weird
and wonderful USB flash drives that we've not seen before.
3) Our Lecture Centre technicians are called out urgently several times
a day, to log in as administrator and update the drivers for a number of
USB flash drives.
This has to be repeated for every PC that the USB flash drives are
plugged into.
I'd be interested in hearing how list members deal with this.
:)
--
bm
Martyn Reid MBCS
Senior Technical Development Officer
Harper Adams University College
Edgmond
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 8NB
United Kingdom
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel:01952 815349 (Direct)
01952 820280 (Switchboard)
Fax: 01952 814783
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