Prevent conficker autorun, malware infection. viruses and trojans from spreading over USB into your networks with SafeStick features Authorized Autorun and File Blocker.

Problem

Conficker has highlighted the danger of standard removable USB sticks. Conficker implants a malicious autorun.inf on removable media as one modus operandum. Any software encryption or protection of the drive will go lost in the process as the Conficker infection lurks at the host and has the upper hand over the open USB flash drive. Given the unfortunate success for Conficker this is likely something that will be the target for copycat virus hackers and repeated over and over again.

Further more standard devices with or without only software encryption are not able to guarantee data integrity since data can be tampered with, copied, replaced or infected with viruses without user misbehaviour, it only takes one infected host to load up a removable drive with viruses and trojans.

Solution

The onboard anti-malware that SafeStick provides with Authorized Autorun and File Blocker further strenghtens the onboard security beyond automatic AES256 hardware encryption. The unique technology aids the user in protecting the device from becoming a liabillity. Rogues files can simply not be copied onto the SafeStick as File Blocker feature defends it automatically. The File Blocker can also be configured in SafeConsole to put in place data storage policies such as banning certain file formats for storage and disabling installation of unauthorized applications. Applications deployed using the SafeConsole feature Publisher is automatically white-listed.

Authorized Autorun has been implemented since SafeStick 3.1.0 and File Blocker will be part of SafeConsole 3.3 presented at this years InfoSecurity 2009 in London at the end of April (requires SafeStick 3.3.0 or later). Visit BlockMaster at stand P75 for a demonstration. All present SafeConsole customers are eligíble for the update.

Organisations using SafeStick with SafeConsole saves costs on password resets. SafeConsole features ZoneBuilder and Remote Password Recovery streamlines password management. If ZoneBuilder is deployed through SafeConsole to users they are able to reset their own passwords in the most efficient manner ever seen. Once the user is authenticated to the user account ZoneBuilder can be configured to reset the SafeStick password if it detects that the user has previously entered faulty passwords. Just plug the SafeStick in and no further user action is needed, only to choose a new password. For Remote Password Resets the SafeConsole features a simplistic IT staff interface that is protected against social engineering. The end-user can call, e-mail or SMS a request and perform a quick challenge-response procedure typically below two minutes including user verification. No data is lost during the SafeStick password resets and the highest level of productivity and security is maintained.

Offering a simplistic yet secure password reset option is paramount when offering a secure USB drive. According to a Gartner study password resets can cost companies up to up to $18 (£12.35) per call, costs that quickly add up in a large organisation. The cost for not getting access to data is of course more significant as it is also often time critical. The BlockMaster solution will combat costs and give access to mission critical data on time by aiding IT staff to offer a swift self-service option and a secure remote password reset.