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.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
0 votes
0 answers
81 views

Protecting/Crypting an external storage

We have an camera with sd card in which it records. AFAIK its software, recording parts etc., cannot be stepped in. We wish a mechanism/methodology that whenever it is plugged into usb socket of a ...
Soner from The Ottoman Empire's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to back up and restore personal data safely from possibly exploited android phone?

I'm using a Samsung J7 Prime with Android version 7.0, not rooted. Recently, I grew suspicious I had become the target of some kind of exploit/network attack/mitm. Since I suspect the exploit is ...
Sabi's user avatar
  • 13
0 votes
1 answer
158 views

Secure USB stick recommendation

I've read a lot on this site about how USB sticks are inherently (I assume) insecure. There are analyses about how just by plugging it in to your laptop might initialize some program to be run without ...
Lance's user avatar
  • 608
1 vote
0 answers
84 views

Is it possible that a usb drive manufactured 3 months ago can have data copied to it that shows the file last modified date before manufacturing date? [closed]

I have some data that needs to be handed to a friend. I don't want to give the original drive (drive-1), so I plan to purchase a drive (drive-copy) and copy data to it. The data copied will still show ...
Joe Black's user avatar
  • 111
-2 votes
1 answer
108 views

Which brand of USB key storage and external USB storage can prevent wave or wireless read? [closed]

Which brand of USB key storage and external USB storage can prevent wave or wireless read? I find some has military encryption USB key storage , but do I need to encrypt files before saved in these? ...
Prince Martin's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
3k views

If a file on USB drive shows a certain "date modified" time in the windows explorer, can the correct added date/time be checked for the file?

If someone copied files from a drive-1 to usb-drive-2, then it seems the directories and files get the original modified time from drive-1 in some cases and in some cases not. Can it be checked if ...
Joe Black's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
1 answer
93 views

How can one make sure that some specific directories are fully deleted (without any record of their deletion) from a USB/flash drive?

It seems data resides in USB somewhere until it's completely overwritten. But is there a way to delete big directories 10-100GB or so without zero-filling the remaining space and only eradicating ...
Joe Black's user avatar
  • 111
35 votes
5 answers
38k views

How to detect when files from my USB were copied to another PC?

I accidentally gave my USB to my friend and then I realized it had some important files of mine. Is there any way I can know if he got something from the USB?
Harry Sattar's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Howto restore factory default state of an USB pen drive?

The proper way to secure erase a SSD is to issue the SECURITY ERASE UNIT command. Then the SSD controller should send a BLOCK ERASE command to all physical blocks. One caveat: the SSD has to be ...
user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Malware on read only device/memory

Putting Programs/OS/Files (contain malware) on USB-Stick (USB-stick can do read/write). Let's say this USB stick, after i put Programs/OS/Files on it, is now just theoretically, read-only. I myself ...
user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
676 views

Wiping possibly infected USB drive

If I disabled any automounting in the OS, is it safe to plug in a possibly infected USB drive(whatever the worst case in terms of that) to wipe it? If the (infected) drive is set to autorun malware ...
user942937's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
520 views

Is it possible to check if a USB's firmware is unmodified when plugged in?

Let's say I have some USB stick that I know and trust. I can examine the firmware and generate a checksum for it. Can I use this checksem to ensure that when the USB is next plugged in the firmware ...
David says Reinstate Monica's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
329 views

Using a windows partition as a decoy

I'm interested in setting up a laptop that dual boots Windows 7 and openSUSE. The plan is to encrypt the openSUSE partition and require a USB thumb drive with the encryption key for it to boot. Where ...
roboChan's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
7k views

Is it possible to bypass USB access restriction placed by the Active Directory? [closed]

I've been tasked with an onsite engagement to see what I can find from one of their laptops. They have a policy in place to block USB access through the Active Directory, e.g. When you try to access ...
Anderson's user avatar
  • 485
2 votes
0 answers
130 views

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 ...
Matanya's user avatar
  • 131
3 votes
2 answers
535 views

If I format a USB stick, will the old contents be recoverable?

I have read that the "safest" way to make sensitive USB contents un-recoverable is to hammer to pieces the USB stick. Indeed, a quick search on Google shows up hundreds of ways to "recover usb files" ...
Peanuts's user avatar
  • 385
1 vote
1 answer
152 views

Can a Windows program compromise the desktop hardware without giving administrator rights?

If I run a program on a Windows 10 machine, can the program install a virus on an attached USB drive, and can it install a virus into the firmware of the computer to be loaded before the OS/bootloader?...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
802 views

Can dual-boot, encrypted Windows 7 installations be fairly well secured against each other?

We have corporate network where remote workers connect via encrypted latops (Windows 7) using VPN (Cisco AnyConnect client), log into the Windows domain and access their network shares, Outlook e-...
r0berts's user avatar
  • 113
3 votes
1 answer
348 views

Allow only single aplication to access files on USB stick with Linux namespaces

It looks like i found a way to allow only single application to access files in USB storage. This script must be run with sudo. #!/bin/bash # create namespace unshare -m<<EOF # mount device ...
anon432's user avatar
  • 31
4 votes
1 answer
891 views

Is it risky to use an untrusted keyboard?

Suppose you're buying a new keyboard (say USB-wired, but consider Bluetooth connected as well) from Ebay. Is it risky to use that keyboard in a sense that it could be more than just a keyboard? ...
a_guest's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
1 answer
249 views

How does a "fake" network-adapter steal credentials?

I've read that devices that look like USB flash drives can be hidden network cards that can then steal credentials even when the screen is locked. (Like the Bash Bunny) I understand that being the ...
ispiro's user avatar
  • 773
3 votes
1 answer
439 views

Malware: Is there a difference between automounting vs manually mounting?

This is specifically for Ubuntu, but if you'd like to include a reply that'd help Windows users, please do. Background: I'm working on the suspicion that there's malware on my neighbour's laptop, ...
Nav's user avatar
  • 351
9 votes
6 answers
14k views

How to stop USB Rubber Ducky?

I want to protect my computer from fake USB keyboards like the USB rubber ducky . I tried Penteract's disguised keyboard detector. I connected a keyboard and it locked the screen. But I don't ...
123's user avatar
  • 191
1 vote
2 answers
4k views

Can Windows 10 bootable USB drive get infected while trying to reinstall Windows?

Microsoft allows you to create a recovery drive for Windows 10. If Windows gets infected with a virus or other malware, can the USB driver also get infected while trying to reinstall Windows?
Pro's user avatar
  • 15
2 votes
1 answer
221 views

Safety protocol for USB flash drives [duplicate]

I give a USB flash drive to a friend. He returns it. I don't have a particular reason to suspect my friend of any wrongdoing, but I suspect his computer might be infected. I don't need to browse the ...
kat's user avatar
  • 421
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

Are there USB flash drives with read-only firmware?

A security risk with ordinary flash drives is that they have re-writable (flashble) firmware, which basically lets a hacker replace the operating system of the USB drive with their own. Are there any ...
Tyler Durden's user avatar
  • 1,136
2 votes
1 answer
228 views

question about clean reinstallation of infected windows 7 (nuke from orbit approach)

I am attempting to reinstall windows 7 on my infected PC (with the shortcut virus) using a fresh USB drive. The USB drive is NOT infected and contains the ISO. will the USB stick I'm using get ...
Ronnie's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
1 answer
711 views

Will ISP see my router MAC address? connection by 4g USB modem

Question is similar to Will my USB modem send my MAC address to my ISP? but not exacly. I have router dwr-116 and usb 4G modem which is connected to this router. Will ISP see dwr-116 mac address? or ...
ared20's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
0 answers
476 views

USB virus scanner, live boot? [closed]

So after spending the better part of the last two days trying to find a good alternative on Google. I finally gave up and decided to post this... I work for a firm that is really into security right ...
Sec99's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is it possible to safely access a USB pen drive in Windows via a virtual box with Linux? [duplicate]

This is for a computer that has many different people plug in their pen drives into, for taking printouts. As a result, the computer is always infected with all kinds of Windows viruses. Once the ...
Nav's user avatar
  • 351
0 votes
1 answer
491 views

Copy of files to storage device [duplicate]

I downloaded files from an old company computer to an external USB device, can the company tell which files were copied or only that I copied files?
user155513's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
3k views

Sanitizing USB memory stick by overwriting dummy data

I want to sanitize my USB memory stick. By 'sanitizing' I mean I don't want to leave any trace of what I wrote in the USB memory stick. Since they are made with flash memory and flash memory ...
nglee's user avatar
  • 103
2 votes
1 answer
151 views

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?
Revious's user avatar
  • 123
54 votes
13 answers
22k views

Allow only specific devices to be connected to USB

Suppose I have a Windows PC in a safe room, disconnected from the internet, with only 3 cables connecting to another room, to a mouse, monitor and keyboard. The computer contains highly sensitive ...
MarcG's user avatar
  • 805
4 votes
2 answers
261 views

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 ...
James B's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Kingston Data Traveller Vault Privacy - more password attempts

The Kingston Data Traveller Vault Privacy USB drive has a default amount of 10 password entries before it is erased. I am left with one and the question is whether any of the following two approaches ...
user2530062's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
123 views

Ipod Classic w/ torrented files

My friend gave me his old iPod classic, but it's got a bunch of torrented music on it; I want to wipe it with Disc Utility or perhaps GParted and start fresh... because I don't trust torrented files. ...
Kellen Stuart's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
309 views

Is Android ( Linux ) emulating a read-only USB storage device safer than a USB drive?

Well the title kinda ask all, I've been using DriveDroid on Android to emulate a read-only USB drive that I can plug in any machines to copy the files to the PC. I do use the same USB cable. For ...
Freedo's user avatar
  • 2,253
3 votes
1 answer
237 views

Isn't extracting an encrypted file to disk a bad idea?

When using SanDisk's SecureAccess software to access your 'encrypted' usb key, it requests you give it a location to extract the files to - expecting you to give it a folder to write them out to. Isn'...
djsmiley2kStaysInside's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is it safe to insert a USB drive of unknown origin? [duplicate]

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. ...
stickman's user avatar
  • 1,580
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Securely obtain information from a USB Flash Drive /Thumb Drive avoiding viruses [duplicate]

I have just been passed some data in a thumb drive (which I was expecting). While I'm not too sure exactly what format the data will be in, it should be a mixture of numbers and text, possibly in one ...
AKKA's user avatar
  • 33
1 vote
2 answers
453 views

Turn exisiting USB drive into hardware encrypted drive?

I'm currently using a completely unprotected SANDISK Ultra 256GB and want to secure my files on there. I made a quick google search and found a device called Skydigital Ezsafe Lockdock which simply ...
Tomblarom's user avatar
  • 119
2 votes
2 answers
574 views

Is Ubuntu Guest Session safer than Ubuntu Live CD for examining malicious USB drives?

I have some allegedly malicious USB drives that I want to test. I have an already installed Ubuntu OS with a guest session and the Ubuntu Live CD. Which environment setup is safer for testing the ...
pgmank's user avatar
  • 425
-5 votes
1 answer
434 views

How to open external drive that was protected using BitLocker

I've forgotten the password for my Seagate portable drive. I locked it using windows BitLocker two years ago. I can't remember the password but I almost know what's the password. Is there any way to ...
adam kaplan's user avatar
4 votes
6 answers
26k views

How do I securely dispose of a removable USB storage device from within an office?

How can I safely and securely dispose of a USB device at my workplace using only basic tools and objects commonly found in an office? I am unable to remove the device from the premises. I cannot ...
Numeron's user avatar
  • 2,485
6 votes
4 answers
7k views

Detection of BadUSB

We plan to distribute our new software using USB flash drives. The plan is for the field service specialists to visit our customers and upgrade the software using one of our flash drives. However, we ...
JLmatud's user avatar
  • 61
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Can the data transfered from a PC to Dropbox or a USB drive be logged and detected?

I have some problems with my manager and am in process of using a lawyer to litigate with regards to workplace harassment. The litigation is planned to be "soft" and my lawyer only plans to send the ...
mandy's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
167 views

Get info of computer (logged in username) secretly using USB drive

I have a scenario in which I have to do a social engineering exercise for a client. The exercise is the simple old free USB trick, but the catch here is that I have to only get only the (non damaging) ...
user1299086's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
301 views

Why can't I install from a USB? Kali USB installation demands a CD-ROM. How can I get around this? [closed]

I am unable to install Kali 2016.2 using a USB. The installation demands a CD-ROM. This cannot be right... Right? EDIT: Kali Linux 64 bit (25cc6d53a8bd8886fcb468eb4fbb4cdfac895c65) ISO used ...
Matthew's user avatar
  • 103
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How secure is BitLocker with a USB key on the motherboard

I've been reading a bit about using BitLocker without a TPM chip and I've seen here and there that some people advise to use a USB stick for ease, and plug it into an internal USB header converter and ...
Gelunox's user avatar
  • 113