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Security Tips: You and your Flash Drive
Flash drives are the new "floppy diskette". Flash drives (also called
"Thumb Drives(R)" or memory sticks,) are small electronic memory devices
that are about the size of your little finger. Typical flash drives are
able to store anywhere from 256M Bytes to 2G Bytes or more of data.
Flash drives may be built into a device, such as an MP3 player, inserted
into a device through a small stamp sized slot, or plugged into a USB
port.
Most flash drives are compatible with Windows, MAC and Linux, and can
store any kind of data file including: runable programs, picture files,
video files, music files, text and Word files, spread sheets and
database files. Flash drives are used as a portable data storage media,
used to make backup copies of important data files, and used to copy
files from one computer to another. Unlike CD-ROM, flash drives are
reusable and data files can be added, deleted or updated directly on the
flash drive.
Flash drives are very easy and convenient to use, however they do come
with their fair share of security risks. While they are fairly durable,
they do break - usually the USB connector gets broken so that it can't
be plugged in any more. They are easy to lose, easily forgotten, and
easy to steal. Like the floppy disks of old, flash drives are common
carriers of Viruses, Worms, Trojan horse programs, Keystroke loggers,
Root kits, Adware & Spyware. And, because of their ease of use, they
are frequently used to carry confidential or proprietary data out of an
organization inappropriately.
A few safety precautions should be followed when using flash drives.
- Be sure your use of flash drives are in compliance with official policy.
College policy prohibits saving Social Security numbers or credit card
numbers on flash drives.
- Encrypt private and sensitive data. Many flash drives come equipped
with data encryption capabilities.
- Minimize the type and amount of data on the flash drive. Only put the
data (or documents) you will need onto the drive. Remove data from the
flash drive when it is no longer needed.
- Disable "Auto Run" on the computers that use flash drives. This can
help to prevent malicious software from spreading from computer to
computer via the flash drive.
- Configure the Anti-virus program to automatically scan floppies, USB's
and other drives when they are inserted. Be sure to keep your anti-virus
software up to date.
- Create a plain ASCII text file called "Property Of.txt" or "If Found.txt" on the flash
drive. Put your name and e-mail address (or cell phone number or P.O.
address) into the text file - do not put your street address, 900 number
or land line telephone number into the file.
- Do not plug a "free" or "found" flash drive in just to see what's on it,
particularly on a Windows computer. You need to be fully equipped to
detect, trap and remove any malicious software that may be on such a
drive.
- Store your flash drive separate from your laptop. That way, if your
laptop should be lost or stolen, you will still have your data.
- Keep iPods, cell phones, laptops, flash drives and other valuables out
of sight and locked up when not in use. Think of the "Ben Franklin"
test - if you wouldn't leave a $100 bill lying out then don't leave your
flash drive or other valuables lying out.
These simple security precautions can go a long way in protecting your
hard work from accidental loss.
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Help Desk