Hi,
Any idea on how we can block access to the USB drive on my PC.
I know we can change the registry settings but that wont solve the problem as it can be changed back by other user.
Is there any portable app or open source software or freeware available to help me out.
Thanks in adavance!
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given that the registry keys that you would need to change (and that the other user would need to change back) are in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, that would imply that the other user has administrator access to the machine.
In that case, then any software fix that you apply for this problem can be easily circumvented by them.
Which basically leaves two options.
1) take away the user's administrator access rights, and use the well-known registry change.
2) fill the USB ports with superglue, once it sets, there's no way he'll get a drive inserted.
2a) Use a highly modified bicycle chain with dead USB connector to physically prevent access to the port. Surely this exists already!
UPDATE: Like this device perhaps! Schweeet!
That depends how permanent a solution you want.
I can't think of any software off the top of my head, but there's always "hardware" solutions like the 2 stated above.
If you have some electronics experience (this is what I would do
)
Sever the connections from the board to usb and using some fine wire, solder it back together, with a switch in between the port and the board. Leave it in the 'off' position and viola!
Takes a lot of time and effort, but if you're bored and aren't looking for permanency (sp?).
Good stuff.
Nerdy Redneck
Why do all that? If you're going to open it up, follow the lines from the USB ports (in the front, at least) to the motherboard and simply unplug them. This won't do anything for the ones in the back, on the motherboard itself, though. Those you should disable via the BIOS or possibly, the Device Manager.
Try this app out - should solve the issue - http://www.kanepiservices.com.au/drive-terminator/
with an old PC - but in reverse. I couldn't get the USB ports to work, until I went into the BIOS and enabled them.
As NathanJ79 said, just disable them in the BIOS, if possible. You can also password protect the BIOS settings for added protection.
I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.
It's possible to reset BIOS passwords. I'm not quite sure how (not a hardware guy) but I've heard about BIOS passwords being an imperfect solution.
I'd go with superglue.
SWAG
that is the easiest way to reset password for bios
“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
Look, if the end user can open the case and pop the battery, the end user can also do a wide number of things. Like install a PCI card. Like throw their own hard drive in there, disconnect yours, and run their own OS and software.
You can take away access to the actual PC, too. There are boxes you can get that you can stick a PC in and lock. Nothing's foolproof however, but if you distrust someone so much that you're worried about them opening your PC, perhaps you shouldn't let them around it to start with.
Hypothetical discussions are great, but there's a point where it gets too silly to be worth considering. We crossed that point long ago.
Enough said
“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
But you are an excellent example of why a BIOS password is a good solution. Most average users don't know how to reset a BIOS password. And those that do will think twice before dismantling another person's computer.
The fact is that people are fairly easily discouraged by low-mid-level security solutions. If they can't bypass the locks easily, they'll usually give up, because the more time and effort you put into it, and the more evidence of tampering you leave, the easier it is to get caught.
Look, you lock your doors, right? Well, once well-placed brick will take out a window, but that's more work than your average thief will put out.
As for the superglue - you do realize that the OP may want to have USB access for himself at some point, roit?
I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.