Drive Lock Sales Surge to Block USB Forts From Spreading Malware

Drive locks that protected computers from malware spreading through floppy disks have reappeared, to block USB ports.

However, the floppy lock sales fell when the dominant malware threat started to spread via the Net, though a risk remained in the potential use of disks to evade network monitoring for data theft.

According to Lindy, the electronics supplier, there is a increase in sales of devices that prevent unlawful use of USB ports, which tend to be a dominant medium for spreading infection, says security firm, ESET, as reported by Computer active on June 9, 2008.

The security researchers reported that USB drives are continuously targeted to distribute malware. The problem with these drives is that they suitably fit to Windows systems. This implies that by loading an autorun.inf on the drive, any software could be executed when the USB drive is inserted into the computer.

ESET too talks about the major problem with the USB drives that they could help in distributing malware easily. USB locks put a cover on the port that could be removed with a key.

According to Andrew Ingram, Product Manager, Lindy, disabling a USB port completely is not a feasible option for any company. Therefore, USB locks worth their cost for mitigating risks from malicious programs, loading of unwanted programs and files, and data theft.

In February 2008, ESET said that 10.3% of the total malware detected in January 2008 were recognized as files carrying details on programs designed to run of their own when portable media are plugged to a system.

Meanwhile, according to reports obtained in April 2008, ESET revealed that INF/Autorun, a characteristic identification for malicious programs that attempt to apply the autorun.inf file to compromise a computer, has remained as the top malware detected in March 2008.

Finally, in a similar incident with Hewlett-Packard in early 2008, when the company was issuing a bunch of USB keys for several Proliant servers containing malware, HP's Software Security Response Team warned of the viruses after discovering them on the USB drives and also listed the names of infected servers.

Related article: Dref And Stratio Head The List Of Malware For December 2006

» SPAMfighter News - 23-06-2008

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