Questions tagged [usb]

an industry standard used for connecting to and powering peripheral devices (keyboards, mice, cameras, printers, external hard drives, etc) from a computer or other USB capable device.

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How to detect if files were saved or copied from an external hard drive/USB?

Is it possible? If so, how? This is needed to alert on the copying of "important" files. An example of what I need: There is a document on an external hard drive/USB. You're just allowed to ...
Anonymous's user avatar
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16 votes
4 answers
13k views

Can I block viruses from a USB stick by scanning it before opening its folder?

I inserted my USB stick into a friend's PC which was full of viruses, malwares and adwares. Therefore I suppose they attacked my USB device as well. Now I want to use my USB device on my PC without ...
franz1's user avatar
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-2 votes
1 answer
396 views

How to isolate and identify a Trojan's machine code?

I believe that I have several USB drives infected with trojan(s). The memory sticks are data drives (not bootable). They appear to be carrying the binary code of a trojan in its inactive, ...
Brent Kirkpatrick's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
13k views

Attacks via physical access to USB (DMA...?)

I wonder if USB can be exploited by someone with physical access to a reasonably secured computer. For example a kiosk, or a laptop attached to a desk. Obviously, the boot sequence should be secure (...
Franklin Piat's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
691 views

Track USB activity on Windows

I want to know what happens in my USB Devices (file creation, file renamed, etc) without using an external tool. I'm using Windows 7, can I enable some GPO to log these actions? Here the event 4663 ...
Jugad's user avatar
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549 views

Windows : security of USBNET / RNDIS

I'm having trouble finding documentation about how to setup any security for RNDIS or if the system is already secure enough. For those who doesn't know RNDIS is a protocol that permits a USB ...
Walfrat's user avatar
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103 views

How can I prevent Ubuntu from automatically using an USB keyboard? [duplicate]

From what I understood, the possibility of having a multitude of device types connected to the computer via USB (keyboard, mouse, gadgets, sticks, webcams, ...) is a security risk: I connect a USB ...
Martin Thoma's user avatar
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-1 votes
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Linux distribution on USB stick used to banking for begginers [closed]

Is it good idea to use up-to-date Linux on USB stick instead liveCD to online banking? What is the best Linux distribution for not advanced people who commonly use Windows to make online payments ...
Mateusz Zaborski's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
5k views

After I've plugged my phone into a computer to upload photos, can people see the photos I did not upload even after I unplugged my phone?

I plugged my phone into a computer at work to upload photos using a USB, then unplugged it. I only uploaded the photos I needed, however, could they somehow see the photos I didn't upload on the ...
Jacob's user avatar
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1 answer
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Given certain parameters, are there any risks with Android's USB Debugging?

Assuming: You control access to an Android device You never connect that Android device to a malware-infected system via a USB cable Are there any risks with keeping USB Debugging always enabled on ...
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
699 views

Do USB flash drives delete a sector before writing to it?

I know that SSDs can't write to a non-empty sector, so must delete it first (and even support TRIM which resets them automatically after deletion). HDDs on the other, write to sectors before reseting ...
whatever489's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
1k views

USB Rubber Ducky Firmware Upgrade [closed]

I just erased my firmware, using dfu-programmer-0.7.2: $ dfu-programmer at32uc3b1256 erase Checking memory from 0x2000 to 0x3FFFF... Not blank at 0x2001. Erasing flash... Success Checking memory from ...
voices's user avatar
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14 votes
5 answers
10k views

Can autoplay USB stick spread virus to windows 8 or 10?

Autoplay was a security hole on older versions of Windows, but can I trust newer version like Windows 8 or 10 to insert USB stick without turning autoplay off?
user2174870's user avatar
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33 votes
3 answers
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Can malware be transmitted via a USB charger plugged into a wall socket?

I have a smart phone that I often plug into a wall socket for charging via a small adapter that rectifies the AC to DC power and transforms the voltage from line (120V or 240V) to 5 V DC, probably ...
Stone True's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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What local ethernet-accessible resources can be accessed on a PC through a USB cable?

Clarification: this is about scanning the network resources on computer B from computer A in a situation where: Computer A is connected to Computer B through a USB cable Computer A has some scanning ...
user100487's user avatar
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Encrypt a file before being copied

I am working on a program that will prevent data theft. I want to encrypt every file that is being copied to an external drive before it is actually copied using a symmetric encryption. Is it ...
HackinGuy's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Can USB host ports be dangerous in uncontrolled environments? Virus etc?

We have an Android device with 2 external USB host ports. Now I wonder what harm can be accomplished by an attacker with malicious intentions, provided that: The user can not access settings or any ...
JohnyTex's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
585 views

USB Modem risks

What are the risks associated with the use of portable USB modems, specifically uncontrolled BYOD USB modems as opposed to secure managed USB modems? I plan on allowing multiple users to plug their ...
KimberleyK's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

A compromised USB

Assuming that a given USB drive is compromised(infected), what's the best way to deal with it? I mean, obviously, the solution is to nuke(format) the drive. But for that, the device needs to be ...
Mayank Singh's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

BadUSB: Why are firmware writeable in the first place? Manufacturer's backdoor?

How many of you have actually updated their mouse, keyboard or USB stick firmware? How many vendor actually propose updates for such devices? However these devices firmware often offer a proprietary ...
WhiteWinterWolf's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
326 views

Windows 10 installaton USBs sold by Microsoft [closed]

With the recent release of Microsoft's Windows 10, I dropped by a local Microsoft store to purchase a windows 10 installation media. To my surprise (somewhat) the employees said that they do not ...
sneakyram's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
4k views

BAD USB attack possible while screen is locked?

If i leave my screen locked and someone sticks in a thumbdrive that was manipulated using the bad USB exploit would an attack be possible?
Junior J. Garland's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
953 views

Content on a usb flash drive available for a limited time [closed]

I need to distribute some content on a USB flash drive. This content should be available for a limited time only. I am looking for some approach to achieve above. So far I do not have information ...
Solvek's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
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Server based pdf signing using etoken from a client browser

I have a requirement where a PDF document is generated on the application server in a web based .Net application and the same is digitally signed and mailed to the recepient. The signing and mail ...
Monil's user avatar
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Is there a pre-established method for cracking RSA SecureID codes?

I am using the most modern version of RSA SecureID's tokens with a RSA server (used with a lot of governments and larger organizations ). I was just wondering if there was a pre-established method for ...
Kimberley's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Hardware devices for protecting against BadUSB?

Have any devices been released which protect against BadUSB attacks? I'm particularly interested in buying a USB hub which has the following protections: The USB hub itself won't allow reflashing ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
505 views

Identifying USB Device Anomalies..? [closed]

I have a laptop with 4 USB ports, and I have an external 4 port splitter that I purchased off amazon. Plugged into that is an external USB audio card. The audio card has a line-in port and an audio ...
nemister's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

How to check whether my USB flash drive was infected by the BadUSB

After failing to check whether my USB stick firmware can be rewritten AT ALL, I want find out, whether it WAS rewritten when I sticked it in another computer. In particular the question is: how to ...
V G's user avatar
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21 votes
1 answer
12k views

How to check if my USB stick firmware can be rewritten via the USB port?

How can I know in Linux (or otherwise), if the firmware of my USB flash drive can be rewritten using the USB port (when sticking it in an USB port)? Eg. for a cheap EMTEC 16GB. I was thinking about ...
V G's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
2k views

Disable USB keyboard pluggability on MacBook

I'm concerned about USB devices being physically attached to my MacBook laptop when I am about to unlock my computer or while my computer is unlocked. My threat model involves an attacker who is ...
dionyziz's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
530 views

Questions regarding Bad USB exploit

I own a Netbook and my external DVD Drive is possibly infected with Bad USB. If I install Ubuntu using this infected DVD drive, could my system be taken over during installation process or later when ...
Junior J. Garland's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
196 views

How to protect against portable applications

There are many portable apps around that could be downloaded and run on local PCs. Usually running of exe could be blocked by using UAC. however, in this case of portable applications, how do I ...
dorothy's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
196 views

Protection against Bad USB not working for me

Protection against bad USB as described in this thread by user 10008 in the top voted answer is not working on my PC at the moment. I tried it when trying to install Ubuntu from a Live DVD to a USB ...
Junior J. Garland's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to check if my usb drives are vulnerable by BAD USB

Mark pointed out that only one chip type is vulnerable to BAD USB, id like to check if mine are, am using only Kingston flash drives here so can you tell me if they are, or if there exists a list ...
findulinRomosa's user avatar
16 votes
4 answers
12k views

Detecting Hardware keyloggers... elegant solutions?

My company recently discovered a hardware keylogger installed during an routine maintenance procedure. We tried catching the culprit but unfortunately it doesn't seem like we are going to be able to, ...
PuzzledITMan's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
456 views

Additional options to protect from bad USB devices in ubuntu

In addiition to the solution options in the other threads How to prevent BadUSB attacks on Linux desktop? https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/77072/protecting-against-bad-usb-in-ubuntu i ...
Junior J. Garland's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
605 views

Onboard Memory of USB HID Devices "hackable"?

I own some mice and keyboards for example my logitech G400 mouse and my razer deathstalker keyboard. Both of those devices have as far as i know built in memories to save DPI settings macros so on ...
Junior J. Garland's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
929 views

Bad USB and other Exploits of USB Devices

Can every USB device and most of the chips in other hardware be reprogrammed like it works with the Bad USB hack to inject malware into the operating system? For example i got a DVD burner that i ...
perocent's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

How to create secure portable firefox?

When I need to access our school web portal I need to access it with my certificate (pfx). Since certificate needs to be installed in browser, I'm thinking (out of security reasons) to create a ...
user63457's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
334 views

Moving /boot to USB and Preventing booting from other USB devices (Allow boot from only one USB)

I'm going to move my /boot/ folder to a USB to as a security measure to protect against Full Disk Encryption exploits. My question is, is it possible to only allow boot from USB from a single USB ...
user843521's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
846 views

Risk when attacker has only physical access to a computer's USB port

Attacker has only access to USB port and can either attach a device or pen-drive to a computer, that can be on or off. Imagine a scenario where non-reliable people have access to offices, either ...
Quora Feans's user avatar
  • 1,881
0 votes
2 answers
4k views

Lock And Unlock Files Using USB Key

I am looking for a way to make a set of files only able to be read when a USB key is plugged into the system. For example, if I have FILE A on my C drive and I try to open it, it will say something ...
user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to identify which storage USB device is BadUSB-free at store?

Are there certain things I can look for when buying a new external hard drive or flash drives to ensure that the one I purchase does not contain BadUSB? Would popular commercial brands, such as ...
Honinbo Shusaku's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
8k views

Can a physical attacker compromise a Windows machine with UEFI, secure boot and bitlocker?

Machines such as the MS Surface Pro 3 comes with bitlocker encryption and UEFI secure boot out of the box. However, the default boot order is network -> usb -> ssd. If an attacker gets physical ...
Kevin Lee's user avatar
  • 456
2 votes
1 answer
943 views

Securely erasing USB flash drives from a bootable media

My question refers to securely erasing viruses from the usb flash drives, including the MBR, in case there is one. I was thinking of booting with Linux from a closed CD-R (a cd rather than USB flash ...
user288528's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
558 views

How secure are encrypted USB sticks really? [closed]

So I have read some articles (this being one https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/01/05/flash-drive-manufacturers-warn-hackers-decrypt-secure-usb-sticks/) that point out some flaws with certain ...
Arlix's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Floppy disk partition showed up when USB Flash drive inserted

For one of my course's midterm lab portion, the professor provided us flash drives to put our project in. Everyone had their named labeled on one, so she gave me the last one left out, which had a ...
Honinbo Shusaku's user avatar
14 votes
6 answers
3k views

Can the BadUSB exploit be prevented?

Recently I read a few things about the BadUSB exploit, for example: http://arstechnica.com/security/2014/07/this-thumbdrive-hacks-computers-badusb-exploit-makes-devices-turn-evil/ My understanding ...
molotovsoda's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
10k views

Is it possible to USB whitelist in Linux?

After watching Black Hat's presentation on the fundamental problems with USB "security", I'm wondering if there's a way to do USB whitelisting in Linux. Is there currently a mechanism that will allow ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
  • 6,753
51 votes
7 answers
30k views

How to prevent BadUSB attacks on Linux desktop?

What can I do to protect my Linux laptop from BadUSB attacks as described by ArsTechnica here? Perhaps writing an appropriate AppArmor profile would help?
student's user avatar
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