USBguard SERVICE
CAN YOU SAFEGUARD AGAINST RISKS INHERENT IN USB DATA TRANSFER WHILE ON BUSINESS TRIPS?
YES!
The risks involved in USB data transfer
When you insert an unknown USB mass storage device into your computer or your own device into an unknown computer, you are exposed to a number of security risks:
A BadUSB attack can cause extensive damage, such as sensitive information ending up in the wrong hands. Any malware on your USB storage device can spread to your internal network when you connect the device to your organisation’s computers.
If your storage device happens to be infected with malware, you will expose your data exchange partner’s organisation to the same threat. When you give your own USB storage device to another person for the purpose of data transfer, that person may copy unauthorised files without your knowledge.
Your organisation’s IT support may be located far from your current location, even in another country or continent, and you may be unable to ask for help when you receive an unknown USB storage device for use in a file exchange. An end user in your organisation may not be security savvy and fail to observe necessary precautions during a data exchange. If you have two similar flash drives, one infected and the other not, how do you know which one is safe without connecting the drives to your computer?
If you know that your storage device is infected, what should you do? Would you take your USB storage device to your organisation’s IT support or would you throw it – along with any confidential information – in the bin for anyone to find? What if you could remove harmful files in a secure way, without connecting the storage device to your computer?
Do not trust, but thwart risks!
Finding unsafe files manually is practically impossible. Harmful files can be easily disguised as safe ones. USBguard is a small portable solution for scanning harmful files. It also helps you to stay safe when traveling on business.
Users do not have to be security savvy as USBguard’s pop-up instructions advise them when needed. USBguard is quick and easy to use.
USBguard is unique because of it’s mobile nature. USBguard is designed in Finland.
Organisations who exchange data using USB storage devices should ensure that they are used safely. The size of an organisation is not relevant in the matter of USB security.
Issues to consider when using USB storage devices
“Do I dare to plug my USB storage device into an unknown computer?”
“Do I dare to plug an unknown USB storage device into my computer?”
“Should I trust or not?”
“What if there would be a device that could scan an USB storage device for files classified as unsafe, and would then only allow specific files to be moved from one storage device to another?"
One unsafe file is enough to compromise the security and business operations of an entire organisation. Are you prepared to take that risk?
What is BadUSB?
BadUSB refers to a malicious USB device that presents a serious security risk. An ordinary USB storage device can be turned into a malicious one by reprogramming its microchip.
Anyone can make a BadUSB device because the required code and installation instructions can be easily found online.
A BadUSB device is particularly dangerous because antivirus software cannot detect it.
If your organisation wants to avoid security risks inherent in USB data transfer, you have the choice of either not using USB storage devices or scanning the devices using USBguard.
A BadUSB disguised as a storage device can be programmed, for example, to snatch a particular file from the user’s database 10 seconds after installation. A BadUSB device may also take over the user’s keyboard or mouse.
USBguard scans USB storage devices for malware and BadUSB. If malicious files are found, the USB storage device can be reinitialised or harmful files removed individually.
If the storage device in question is disguised as a BadUSB device, USBguard prevents it from operating and prompts the user to disconnect it. If you have malware scanning software on your computer and the storage device is in fact disguised as a BadUSB device, the game is already lost when you insert it and the computer starts to scan it.
