Hacking w\ USB drives

[ROM-DOS]

Watch Your End has some pretty interesting info about;

Security/Hacking applications that run on a USB flash drive

"There has been quite a collection of applications that have been ported to run on USB flash disks. Most of these applications seem innocent enough, however some are deliberatly developed to get around IT software use policies in the workplace such as P2P filesharing applications, instant messaging applications, FTP clients and podcast managers to name a few."

"Applications which are used by security professionals (and hackers alike) to test the security of their networks and scan for vulnerabilities now have the capability to run independently from a USB flash drive . . ."

"What this means is that a hacker no longer needs to even have a laptop with them in order to compromise a network, simply bring a USB flash drive in a company and plug it into the USB drive of an available system."

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Simple hack-back tweak to disable USB drives in XP

- Perfect for public machines

There is a simple registry change that will keep the USB storage drivers from starting when the system boots. Keeps people from walking up to a PC and copying data off with a USB key, but allows you to keep your scanner, keyboard, and mouse working.

[As always - back your system up before messing around in the registry]

Just open regedit and browse to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUsbStor

Notice the value 'Start'

Switch this value to 4, and USB storage devices are disabled.

Switch this value to 3, and USB storage devices are enabled.