How Can We Help? Call Us 208-938-4197
  • Home
  • About
    History
    Mission
    PC Team
  • Agent Testimonials
  • Blog
 
Home > Blog > What do your toothbrush and a USB have in common?
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2014

What do your toothbrush and a USB have in common?


The ever popular Bart Simpson USB

By Joe Evancho

BOISE, Idaho  — I recently came across an interesting article about the Universal Serial Bus (USB). Basically the article suggested that you use a USB as you would a toothbrush — and share accordingly. USBs are amazing devices and the amount of information you can store on them is equally impressive.

     According to Wikipedia, in computer parlance a bus (from the Latin omnibus, meaning “for all") is a communication system that transfers data inside a computer or between computers.” 

     The USB was developed in the mid-1990s and was designed to standardize the connection of computer components including keyboards, pointing devices, devices, digital cameras, printers, portable media players, disk drives and network adapters to personal computers both to communicate and to supply electric power.

     It is also used in smart phones, PDAs and video consoles. The USB has effectively replaced a variety of earlier connectors, such as serial and parallel ports as well as separate power chargers for portable device connectors and communication protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices.

What’s wrong with this picture

     They can also be the source of untold infections of malware and other debilitating information.

     A similar article explained how German security researchers discovered that USB-connected devices have a fatal flaw. Anything that connects via USB can be reprogrammed to pose as another device.

    That means a stranger's USB stick could dupe your computer into thinking it's a keyboard, then type in certain commands and quietly take control of your laptop.

   Or, it could pose as a network card, rerouting your Internet traffic so everything you do can be spied on. So if you use them, do so very sparingly, and think about how you will eventually dispose of them.

Firmware

     Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with other computer hardware.

     IT Systems Integration Analyst Kevin Rank works for Idaho Public Television in Boise, Idaho. He said, “What it boils down to is that firmware is not secured on USB devices. Because of that, other USBs can reprogram another device."  Also USB devices are microprocessors which means they need Input/Output (I/O) and power from the device.

   “Input is anything you use to put information into a computer like mouse, keyboard or tablet," Kevin said. "Output is like the screen, and I think printers are considered output as well. I am sure there are more, but those are the most prevalent types of I/O.”

     So, a USB can open a terminal into a computer and “type” or input, their own information, just like someone sitting there could do.  The computer trusts that the device tells it good information.  The computer doesn’t realize a USB device can lie about what kind of device it is. 
The potential consequences of sharing

     Identity theft, bank fraud, extortion are all possible results of USB tampering. Any talented computer engineer can tamper with a device's firmware to dupe a computer.

    Some cyber security experts said the danger of sharing USB devices have been spotted before and the implications are now clear. Downloading the wrong app can infect your phone, then compromise your computer. And borrowing a stranger's USB stick could infect your computer permanently. 

     So sharing USBs may be socially acceptable, but the potential trouble makes it personally dangerous. We’ve all been conditioned that a USB is reusable, permanent piece of equipment, and early prices supported that model. USB sticks are very inexpensive these days, so if you have to loan one, don’t take it back after use.  

    This type of cyber-hygiene will go a long way toward keeping you safe. If you are a parent, keep your USB sticks locked up, and if your children need one, same rule – don’t recycle into the family inventory. You can pay now or pay later!

Posted 12:09 PM

Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

  • insurance(11)
  • pacific crest insurance(4)
  • partner(3)
  • canada(3)
  • travel(3)
  • pacific crest services(3)
  • science(2)
  • fishing(2)
  • award(2)
  • community(2)
  • wildlife(2)
  • disease(1)
  • adoption(1)
  • fun(1)
  • google(1)
  • developing countries(1)
  • developed countries(1)
  • auto accidents prevention(1)
  • road(1)
  • family(1)
  • life(1)
  • robot(1)
  • wealth management(1)
  • cross-country skiing(1)
  • retirement(1)
  • pencil(1)
  • homeowners(1)
  • baseball(1)
  • fire insurance(1)
  • travelers(1)
  • new mexico(1)
  • engineering(1)
  • service(1)
  • safeco insurance(1)
  • earthquake(1)
  • golf(1)
  • technology(1)
  • space(1)
  • pacific crest independent insurance alliance(1)
  • savings(1)
  • prevention(1)
  • commercial(1)
  • cancer(1)
  • hunting(1)
  • nature(1)
  • residential(1)
  • sports. tablets(1)
  • semcat multi rater(1)
  • refugee(1)
  • wild land fires(1)

View Mobile Version
Join Our Alliance
Meet Our Alliance
Meet Our Most Valuable Player Alex Pieters Pieters Insurance - Minden, Nevada MINDEN, Nevada — A small community of just more than 3,000 residents east of the southern tip of Lake Tahoe, Minden, Nevada, is a quiet little town in the heart of the Carson Valley.

For just about a quarter of a century, Alex Pieters was one of a handful of police officers in the county seat of Douglas County.

Knowing the community as he does, it made sense that Alex would hang his shingle in this community that once boasted it was a getaway destination for some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.

Alex understands that to succeed in a small town, being competitive with price is important.

Pacific Crest Independent Insurance Alliance
"We are real people who foster trust through relationships, practice integrity with action and empower you to write your own story"

HOME    CLIENT SERVICES    BECOME AN AGENT    ABOUT US    PARTNERS    LOCATIONS    CONTACT US   FOR AGENTS   SECURE LOGIN
Copyright Pacific Crest Independent Insurance Alliance. All rights reserved. Powered by Insurance Website Builder
Follow @PacificCrestIns
Blog RSS
Home Client Services About Us Partners Locations Contact Us Insurance Website Builder