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What can be stolen with a flash drive?

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TallyMan
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26 Oct 2009, 2:16 pm

Bea wrote:
Someone out there needs to invent a locking device that fits over ports so a flashdrive cannot be used until the person with the physical key removes the device. Then you could leave your computer on for a moment while you visit the washroom and not worry that someone will rape it while you aren't watching.


It is often locked out anyway in many businesses. The IT dept don't like people using flash drives which can potentially introduce malware or steal company data, so the operating system is configured in such a way that flash drives cannot be used and also that nobody can tamper with the settings. It all comes down to computer management. Smaller businesses probably don't have the IT staff to set up rigorous computing strategies and policies that larger companies do.


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Friskeygirl
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29 Oct 2009, 6:26 pm

Bea wrote:
I got careless and left my laptop alone for a minute with a co-worker who is, basically, evil. She's the type of person who goes through life getting what she wants through manipulation and sabotage, and she wears a flash drive around her neck. The only thing open on my computer at the time was my connection to the internet. No other programs were open. Would she have been able to download my Word files even though the program as not open?

If your in an office and on a network all she has to do is browse to your computer and copy them, You don't need a flash drive to steal.



pakled
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30 Oct 2009, 9:28 pm

true...it depends on how your network admins have security set.


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Tach
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31 Oct 2009, 3:55 am

There are certain usb keys and software out there that can be used so that in order to log in you need your specific USB plugged in, however because of the fact that you need it to log in, if you lose it or it breaks your screwed, and it only works if you log out first. That might prevent evil people from logging in, however it will not prevent them from attacking if you stay logged in or leave the key in. Another good security idea is to use a fingerprint scanner, and just make your password very cryptic, while having it so that you just swipe your finger to log in, and log out when your done. Still however, there needs to be a USB port locker of some kind, I agree.


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CerebralDreamer
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31 Oct 2009, 4:36 am

Pretty much anything can be stolen with a flash drive. Even some files that are not 'movable' and protected by ungodly security can be stolen, if they have the skill.

The main question you should ask, what would they want to steal? With their flash drive and skill, what would they have the time to steal? If she shut down a server with malware, it's very possible she didn't take something from your computer, but rather put something ON it.

If you haven't checked 'recent items' or whatever your equivalent is, make sure she didn't add any files to your workstation. If she bombed the server, and was on your computer, you might find the responsible malware on your workstation. (If she's really that evil. I believe it's most likely that she was just snooping, and didn't know what she was doing.)