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Can my USB be traced?

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mlk2
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Can my USB be traced?

Hi, was planning on using a USB with portableapps at my school where theres a strict no USB rule.

Im wondering, is there a way they can see I've used a USB? I know about clearing last used documents of course but I mean can they see I've physicly attached a USB? They use Win XP.

Thanks for any answers.

ottosykora
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sure can be

every time a new usb device is connected to a PC, its details as manufacturer of the controller, serial number and class of device are stored in the registry and the list stay there for ever.

at my work, the admin sits about 35km away from our place, but he will get an alarm when I insert an usb stick other then I was given by the company.
We have no total ban, but we have received small chap stick and its serial number ID is registered with the monitoring software and so this is allowed.

Any other stick (also other devices too) will simply trigger an alarm at the IT desk, with the number of computer involved and user name who is just logged in.

My boss will get then warning e-mail after few minutes and he has to take some action...

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

Be-True
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wow!

That is very elaborite. What kind of work you do? Or is that classified. Wink

ottosykora
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almost classified

yes, it is a company on .gov service, customers wear strange kind of green close...

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

vf2nsr
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Rules

Are made for reason, so matter how stupid we think they are. I would not suggest trying to circumvent school policy. Maybe you need to chat with the head of the MIS department or IT Department.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss

marckisawesome
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That's just stupid, I use a

That's just stupid, I use a USB to copy my school work all the time plus I run Firefox portable from it( saves me from using Internet explorer)

Who Dares,Wins - S.A.S

frankee
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may be possible

it is possible in future,
because as far i am consultant so now a days every one is being traced on the internet even he or she has business or not.

Carrot Media: Facebook apps, Facebook games, Iphone apps, Iphone games

ottosykora
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why in future

if not want get it from registry get usbdeviw.exe and enjoy the list of any usb device which has ever been connected to the system and listing devices currently connected with their manufacturer of usb controller, unique serial number , class of device etc. in nice graphical table.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

sancerre
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tracing usb

Different angle on the subject. Can a new usb never before used be traced to the precise owner if it is used for the first time in a place with no connection to the owner, such as an internet cafe far from the owners home, and never used again??? Just my guess. Not possible. Is that right?

Gord Caswell
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Involved

It would certainly be possible, but would be highly involved, depending on how the drive was used - as a storage medium, using a browser, some other use. depending on the use, and who was wanting to trace the drive, offline methods ma be used to trace, such as video feeds in the area or business.

sancerre
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Hello GC,

Hello GC,

Suppose you're in another state or country and while there you open an email from a a new anonymous account you just created, loading information onto a usb from there. Close the email then transmit the info from the usb to other emails. How could that be traced to anyone? Curious.

Gord Caswell
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Offline methods, computer logs

A combination of offline methods, along with the computer's logs.

Anything involving a computer can be traced, it just might take more work in some scenarios than in others.

ottosykora
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computer trace

what ever you do on a computer, particularly if this computer is connected to network or even via this to internet can be traced to this particular computer.
Now as far as usb stick, the ser number , manufacturer, device class etc is recorded the first time it was connected to this computer and will remain there recorded.
The files touched will be recorded also, so what ever you move around is recorded.
No real high tech needed up to here.
To figure out who really did operate the computer at this time, well this is other story, some user was logged in then, so this user will know some credentials for the computers account.

Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland

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