IT Security Stack Exchange
IT Security Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [usb-drive]

Storage drives connected by USB devices known otherwise as flash drive, USB stick, USB key and thumb drive. Also includes larger storage devices such as portable hard drives.

USB drives are storage drives connected by USB (Universal Serial Bus) to the computer. A USB drive -- also known as a flash drive or keychain drive -- is a plug-and-play portable storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a key chain.

Above the OS level, work with these drives does not differ much from the work with the fixed drives: they can be partitioned and partitions can be formatted OS-supported filesystems.

Such drives can also be bootable. Developers may use this capability to test new operating system without installing it, or to gain access to non-encrypted fixed hard drive if the main operating system does not boot any longer.

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How can I reprogram a usb as a keyboard

One of my recent posts has lead me to find that you can reprogram a usb drive to appear as a keyboard to a computer. I would like to know how to do this I am currently on a power google trying to find the answer I need (I know you can buy usb drives…
TheHidden
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How to use a found USB key safely

I found a USB drive while riding the subway and I want to read it to see if I can return it back to it's owner. If I can't find any info on the stick, I'll use it for my own means. Assuming I have a perfect sandbox and I reformat the USB drive, how…
Seanny123
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Are USB thumb drives inherently more dangerous than other removable media? Why?

The general consensus I hear among security professionals is that USB drives are dangerous. In most organizations (that I have worked at), USB drives are either forbidden or employees are required to get official corporate drives that only work on…
Mark E. Haase
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Is there a chance USB files once opened by TV, PC etc. have any footprint, backup or residue files left on the hosting device it worked on?

Let me first thank you all for the great info. you are providing. My question is; Do files stored on USB once opened and viewed by TV, PC etc. have any footprint, backup or residue files left on the hosting device? If yes, are the files recoverable…
abudawood
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Removable storage solution

Background: My organization has to find a removable storage solution. However, it is my understanding that the DOD is pretty strict about flash drives due to security considerations. Question: My users will always have connection to the internet,…
k to the z
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What role does a PC play when transferring from one attached usb-drive to another?

I recently attached two usb-sticks of colleagues to my laptop and transferred a file from one to the other. The file was sensitive and was not supposed to be copied to my PC. Never mind the background that led to this situation - suffice to say, my…
Rafael Emshoff
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How can kids transfer data to a school computer safely?

I have a primary-school-aged daughter who needs to bring a presentation to school. Classmates are bringing their presentations on a thumb drive, but I have some security concerns. (One, two, etc etc) I don't want to buy a new throwaway thumb…
James B
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Can a USB device read data from the internal HD of a PC when it's turned off?

I have heard on TV (tg5) that some devices exist, that can be connected to a USB port on a PC that is turned off and get data from the hard disk. I am wondering if (and if so how) this is possible; isn't the hard disk turned off when the PC is…
Rino De Astis
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Best way to deal with Encrypted USB user authentication

So I'm working with a client who wants the absolute highest level of security for his project. I pitched him the idea of hardware user authentication with one of those encrypted USB drives with the keypads on them. The system is completely isolated…
Matanya
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Is it possible to investigate if a pendrive has been connected to a specific PC?

Is it possible to investigate if a pendrive has been connected to a specific PC? Are there any traces left on the device?
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Is it safe to insert a USB drive of unknown origin?

I found a USB drive and I would like to check out the contents to see if there is any information that could allow me to identify and return to the owner. However, I'm unsure of what is on the drive. Is it safe for me to just insert it into my…
stickman
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How safe are USB internet keys compared to using a router/hub with a built-in firewall?

Is it safe to use a USB 4G/LTE Mobile Internet Key, vs. a 4G/LTE Hub? How does it compare using an USB internet key to being behind a router/hub that has a firewall? I want to be shielded from the internet, and I am not too sure the USB internet key…
boggy
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Can I tell if my USB flash drive has been plugged into other computers?

Can I tell if my USB flash drive has been plugged into other devices?
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How secure is my information on a bootable USB drive?

Suppose I have a live bootable USB drive with Linux installed on it. It is encrypted. I am booting off it on another computer with default OS Windows. How much separation is there between the host machine and the USB drive while I'm using the Linux…
Vork
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How do pendrives like IronKey protect against password guessing?

For a pendrive like Kingston IronKey, how can the pendrive block multiple password guessing attempts? Couldn't the person just disassemble the pendrive, make 1:1 copies and try again and again to access the data? I'm thinking on a scenario like Lost…
Quora Feans
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