Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Controlling block storage devices on USB buses

What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?

This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will prevent
write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory sticks. When
this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security strategy to
prevent users from transporting data using these devices.

Who does this feature apply to?

. Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a USB
storage device.


. IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over the use
of USB block storage devices


What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2

Setting name Location Default value Possible values

WriteProtect

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control \StorageDevicePolicies

DWORD=0

0 - Disabled

1 - Enabled

Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Dave

Dave
Mon Sep 13 11:38:50 CDT 2004

Interesting!
I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create policy
templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms. I'll
post a link if I can find it again...

DS

"jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----------------------------------------------
> Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
>
> What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
>
> This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will prevent
> write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory sticks. When
> this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
> devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security strategy to
> prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
>
> Who does this feature apply to?
>
> . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a USB
> storage device.
>
>
> . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over the
use
> of USB block storage devices
>
>
> What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
>
> Setting name Location Default value Possible values
>
> WriteProtect
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control \StorageDevicePolicies
>
> DWORD=0
>
> 0 - Disabled
>
> 1 - Enabled
>
>
>



Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Kevin

Kevin
Mon Sep 13 20:13:08 CDT 2004

Interesting subject. I spoke at an IT Managers conference in Kansas City
last month. I had my powerpoint presentation on a USB disk key, and gave it
to the person in charge of the conference, he quickly said: "Sorry, we are
no longer allowed to plug in USB disk keys to our computers."

Well, I make it a point to follow whatever rules and security restrictions a
company has in place, and will always commend them for taking whatever
actions they have implemented. But personally, I thinks that's a step or two
too far in the wrong direction. If you have updated virus software
installed, and restrict local admin access, and don't run any executables,
there should not be any risk. I'd suspect they were recently infected, and
that's why they took the steps they did.

--
Kevin Weilbacher [SBS-MVP]
"The days pass by so quickly now, the nights are seldom long"


"Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
news:e98onAbmEHA.3988@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Interesting!
> I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create policy
> templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms. I'll
> post a link if I can find it again...
>
> DS
>
> "jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
> news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
>> ----------------------------------------------
>> Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
>>
>> What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
>>
>> This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will prevent
>> write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory sticks.
>> When
>> this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
>> devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security strategy to
>> prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
>>
>> Who does this feature apply to?
>>
>> . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a USB
>> storage device.
>>
>>
>> . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over the
> use
>> of USB block storage devices
>>
>>
>> What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
>>
>> Setting name Location Default value Possible values
>>
>> WriteProtect
>>
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
>> \StorageDevicePolicies
>>
>> DWORD=0
>>
>> 0 - Disabled
>>
>> 1 - Enabled
>>
>>
>>
>
>



Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Dave

Dave
Tue Sep 14 00:43:40 CDT 2004

Kevin, I agree with you that wholesale blocking of usb sticks is a bit
extreme. But if there is a way to do it by policy on a user/group basis, it
certainly is a good thing to have if needed.
Still haven't found that post...

Cheers,
Dave

"Kevin Weilbacher [SBS-MVP]" <kweilbacMVP@gte.net> wrote in message
news:uD5KPffmEHA.2948@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Interesting subject. I spoke at an IT Managers conference in Kansas City
> last month. I had my powerpoint presentation on a USB disk key, and gave
> it to the person in charge of the conference, he quickly said: "Sorry, we
> are no longer allowed to plug in USB disk keys to our computers."
>
> Well, I make it a point to follow whatever rules and security restrictions
> a company has in place, and will always commend them for taking whatever
> actions they have implemented. But personally, I thinks that's a step or
> two too far in the wrong direction. If you have updated virus software
> installed, and restrict local admin access, and don't run any executables,
> there should not be any risk. I'd suspect they were recently infected, and
> that's why they took the steps they did.
>
> --
> Kevin Weilbacher [SBS-MVP]
> "The days pass by so quickly now, the nights are seldom long"
>
>
> "Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
> news:e98onAbmEHA.3988@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Interesting!
>> I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create
>> policy
>> templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms. I'll
>> post a link if I can find it again...
>>
>> DS
>>
>> "jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
>> news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --
>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>> Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
>>>
>>> What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
>>>
>>> This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will
>>> prevent
>>> write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory sticks.
>>> When
>>> this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
>>> devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security strategy
>>> to
>>> prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
>>>
>>> Who does this feature apply to?
>>>
>>> . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a USB
>>> storage device.
>>>
>>>
>>> . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over the
>> use
>>> of USB block storage devices
>>>
>>>
>>> What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
>>>
>>> Setting name Location Default value Possible values
>>>
>>> WriteProtect
>>>
>>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
>>> \StorageDevicePolicies
>>>
>>> DWORD=0
>>>
>>> 0 - Disabled
>>>
>>> 1 - Enabled
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>



Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Henry

Henry
Tue Sep 14 01:54:06 CDT 2004

You can restrict the Drives the user can see/access:

The user is then unable to access the device.

Using Group Policy Objects to hide specified drives in My Computer for
Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;231289


--
Henry Craven {SBS-MVP}
Melbourne Australia

"Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
news:e98onAbmEHA.3988@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Interesting!
> I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create
policy
> templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms.
I'll
> post a link if I can find it again...
>
> DS
>
> "jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
> news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
----
> --
> > ----------------------------------------------
> > Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
> >
> > What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
> >
> > This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will
prevent
> > write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory
sticks. When
> > this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
> > devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security
strategy to
> > prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
> >
> > Who does this feature apply to?
> >
> > . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a
USB
> > storage device.
> >
> >
> > . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over
the
> use
> > of USB block storage devices
> >
> >
> > What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
> >
> > Setting name Location Default value Possible values
> >
> > WriteProtect
> >
> > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
\StorageDevicePolicies
> >
> > DWORD=0
> >
> > 0 - Disabled
> >
> > 1 - Enabled
> >
> >
> >
>
>



Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Dave

Dave
Tue Sep 14 09:08:28 CDT 2004

Using that policy, the user just cannot see them in common dialogs and
windows explorer, but would still be able to access them by other means.
It would be sufficient for many users...
DS

"Henry Craven" <IUnknown@Dot.Nyet> wrote in message
news:e0WioeimEHA.3712@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> You can restrict the Drives the user can see/access:
>
> The user is then unable to access the device.
>
> Using Group Policy Objects to hide specified drives in My Computer for
> Windows 2000
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;231289
>
>
> --
> Henry Craven {SBS-MVP}
> Melbourne Australia
>
> "Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
> news:e98onAbmEHA.3988@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Interesting!
>> I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create
> policy
>> templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms.
> I'll
>> post a link if I can find it again...
>>
>> DS
>>
>> "jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
>> news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> > Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
>> --
>> > ----------------------------------------------
>> > Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
>> >
>> > What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
>> >
>> > This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will
> prevent
>> > write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory
> sticks. When
>> > this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
>> > devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security
> strategy to
>> > prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
>> >
>> > Who does this feature apply to?
>> >
>> > . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a
> USB
>> > storage device.
>> >
>> >
>> > . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over
> the
>> use
>> > of USB block storage devices
>> >
>> >
>> > What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
>> >
>> > Setting name Location Default value Possible values
>> >
>> > WriteProtect
>> >
>> > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
> \StorageDevicePolicies
>> >
>> > DWORD=0
>> >
>> > 0 - Disabled
>> >
>> > 1 - Enabled
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>



Re: XP SP2 - new way to stop USB key drives by Dave

Dave
Tue Sep 14 13:44:50 CDT 2004

And the link:

http://forums.susserver.com/index.php?showtopic=2067

DS


"Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
news:Ov0hL3hmEHA.3564@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Kevin, I agree with you that wholesale blocking of usb sticks is a bit
> extreme. But if there is a way to do it by policy on a user/group basis,
it
> certainly is a good thing to have if needed.
> Still haven't found that post...
>
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> "Kevin Weilbacher [SBS-MVP]" <kweilbacMVP@gte.net> wrote in message
> news:uD5KPffmEHA.2948@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> > Interesting subject. I spoke at an IT Managers conference in Kansas City
> > last month. I had my powerpoint presentation on a USB disk key, and gave
> > it to the person in charge of the conference, he quickly said: "Sorry,
we
> > are no longer allowed to plug in USB disk keys to our computers."
> >
> > Well, I make it a point to follow whatever rules and security
restrictions
> > a company has in place, and will always commend them for taking whatever
> > actions they have implemented. But personally, I thinks that's a step or
> > two too far in the wrong direction. If you have updated virus software
> > installed, and restrict local admin access, and don't run any
executables,
> > there should not be any risk. I'd suspect they were recently infected,
and
> > that's why they took the steps they did.
> >
> > --
> > Kevin Weilbacher [SBS-MVP]
> > "The days pass by so quickly now, the nights are seldom long"
> >
> >
> > "Dave Stoecker" <david_stoecker@hotCOFFEEmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:e98onAbmEHA.3988@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> Interesting!
> >> I recall seeing a blog or discussion board post with code to create
> >> policy
> >> templates for disabling usb sticks, as well as floppy, and cd-roms.
I'll
> >> post a link if I can find it again...
> >>
> >> DS
> >>
> >> "jann" <jann@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
> >> news:enKfF9VmEHA.3336@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> >>> Hi - not tried this, but looked handy
>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> >> --
> >>> ----------------------------------------------
> >>> Controlling block storage devices on USB buses
> >>>
> >>> What does controlling block storage devices on USB buses do?
> >>>
> >>> This feature provides the ability to set a registry key that will
> >>> prevent
> >>> write operations to USB block storage devices, such as memory sticks.
> >>> When
> >>> this registry key is enabled, the devices function only as read-only
> >>> devices. You can implement this setting as part of a security strategy
> >>> to
> >>> prevent users from transporting data using these devices.
> >>>
> >>> Who does this feature apply to?
> >>>
> >>> . Users who do not want data to be written from their computer to a
USB
> >>> storage device.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> . IT professionals who want to implement organization controls over
the
> >> use
> >>> of USB block storage devices
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> What settings are added or changed in Windows XP Service Pack 2
> >>>
> >>> Setting name Location Default value Possible values
> >>>
> >>> WriteProtect
> >>>
> >>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
> >>> \StorageDevicePolicies
> >>>
> >>> DWORD=0
> >>>
> >>> 0 - Disabled
> >>>
> >>> 1 - Enabled
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>