IT Security Blog

  • Home
  • About IT Security Blog
  • IT Security Basics
  • Real-World Issues
  • Network Security
  • News
  • Malware
  • Tips
  • Spyware

Vaccine Loaded Flash Disks

11 January 2008 By Saran

flash.jpgLG, one of Korea’s leading industry giants has announced the release of its Vaccine Flash Disk which will come in 512 to 8 Gigabyte models. The said hardware based protection is the company’s bet at getting it’s fair share of the Consumer Electronics market mainly in the computing industry. The said flash disk is pre-loaded with an anti-virus, malware protection which scans the system it is connected to removing and preventing further infection. The concept of hardware based malware protection has been in the works for quite sometime with motherboards that have anti-virus protection and hard disks that do the same. Flash disks have replaced the good old floppy in being the most prolific means of spreading of malware on earth. Being discreet and having ever larger capacities, they have been involved in infecting innocent computers and networks to corporate espionage and identity theft for their portability and small footprint being their worst trait.

Viruses and malware have long wreaked havoc on the computing industry since they were created in the 80’s and today’s viruses have gotten so sophisticated that even the FBI, CIA and other security and law enforcement agencies have become involved setting up their respective IT crimes divisions. The law has also caught up with steeper penalties and fines to offenders who do intentionally infect and create these malicious code that have caused millions of dollars in lost business revenue all over the globe. We should expect more of these hardware based-protection systems in the coming future for they might be the only way to protect media and other vulnerable Information Technology resources from attack.

Filed Under: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, News, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Storage Tagged With: Flash-disks, Vaccine-Flash-from-LG

Flash drives… Blessing or curse?

7 November 2007 By Saran

ufdlg1.jpgFlash drives have become commonplace in just about anyplace where we use computers. These compact digital storage devices have replaced floppy disks, cd’s and other bulkier forms of storage that used to be the easiest way to transport data from point A to B. It also has the convenience of being as small as a keychain or an eraser so it fits just about anywhere like your coat pocket.

Enough of the good sides and to the bad sides of this technology for they are truly a security risk for they can become a propagation media for many problems such as viruses, worms and even be used to sneak information in and out of the workplace. Tis’ true that many a security programs such as programs that check for viruses and other problematic stuff contained within them but it is still very hard to determine if it does indeed pose a threat to the company or others who might be using the systems they are connected to.

Even the portable media players have the capability to be formatted to not only carry music but information as well. Products like the Apple’s Ipod series can be configured to carry video, audio and data in the form of files and documents. The only sure way to screen these products for stolen information is to scan them individually for any suspicious data/information. Their ability to connect to just about anything that has a USB port tends to raise the risks further.

Responsible use and strict control in their use and bringing into the workplace might sound a bit too paranoid but when conducted in the proper manner might provide some protection. Entry into restricted areas such as data centers and other server areas must also be looked into due to the potential for information leakage and the introduction of viruses and other dangerous programs.

Filed Under: Backups, General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Real-World Issues, Storage Tagged With: data-security, Flash-disks, Mp3-Players, portable-digital-data-storage

Categories

  • Backups
  • Cryptography
  • E-mail
  • Firefox
  • General
  • Google Chrome
  • IM
  • Instant Messaging
  • IT Security Basics
  • Malware
  • Network Security
  • News
  • Operating Systems
  • Physical Security
  • Privacy & Anonymity
  • Programming
  • Real-World Issues
  • Review
  • Security Policies
  • Spyware
  • Storage
  • Tips
  • Web browsers
  • Wireless Security