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[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 12th 18, 06:11 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Mr. Man-wai Chang
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Posts: 1,941
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost or
misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged to do
so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying with it
could be "disruptive".

Losing data

..... more ....


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  #2  
Old May 12th 18, 06:55 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Frank Slootweg
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Posts: 1,226
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost or
misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged to do
so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying with it
could be "disruptive".

Losing data

.... more ....


Hmmm! I thought this was the twenty-first century, not the twentieth!?

But heh, better late than never!
  #3  
Old May 12th 18, 11:36 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
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Posts: 2,679
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

In message , Mr. Man-wai
Chang writes:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost or
misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged to
do so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying with
it could be "disruptive".

Losing data

.... more ....


The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of (a)
concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a defence
contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of infection.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

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  #4  
Old May 13th 18, 04:20 AM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Jason
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 144
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

In article ,
says...
Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.


I recall a few years ago reading that the Pentagon had
such a policy in place and had filled USB sockets with
epoxy to enforce it.
  #5  
Old May 13th 18, 06:31 AM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Libor Striz
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Posts: 25
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

"Mr. Man-wai Chang" Wrote in message:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks


It is a logical decision.
I do not see it as a topic.

--
Libor Striz aka Poutnik ( a pilgrim/wanderer/wayfarer)

"Humour is the only effective weapon against stupidity."
Miloš Forman


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  #6  
Old May 13th 18, 11:38 AM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Frank Slootweg
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Posts: 1,226
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:
In message , Mr. Man-wai
Chang writes:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost or
misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged to
do so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying with
it could be "disruptive".

Losing data

.... more ....


The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of (a)
concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a defence
contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of infection.


Exactly. Same with the little 150K employee computer company I worked
for. As soon as USB ports showed up on computers, they were made
inoperable. (No card-readers at that time.) That was well before the
year 2000.
  #7  
Old May 13th 18, 11:42 AM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
mechanic
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Posts: 1,064
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

On Sun, 13 May 2018 07:05:06 +0200 (GMT+02:00), Libor Striz wrote:

"Mr. Man-wai Chang" Wrote in message:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks


It is a logical decision.
I do not see it as a topic.


Welcome to UseNet mate.
  #8  
Old May 13th 18, 02:31 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Libor Striz
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Posts: 25
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

mechanic Wrote in message:
On Sun, 13 May 2018 07:05:06 +0200 (GMT+02:00), Libor Striz wrote:

"Mr. Man-wai Chang" Wrote in message:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks


It is a logical decision.
I do not see it as a topic.


Welcome to UseNet mate.

Being here for more then 20 years, mate.

--
Libor Striz aka Poutnik ( a pilgrim/wanderer/wayfarer)

"Humour is the only effective weapon against stupidity."
Miloš Forman


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/
  #9  
Old May 13th 18, 02:42 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Tim[_10_]
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Posts: 249
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

Frank Slootweg wrote in
news
"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:
In message , Mr. Man-wai
Chang writes:
[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices
such as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost
or misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged
to do so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying
with it could be "disruptive".

Losing data

.... more ....


The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of
(a) concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a
defence contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of
infection.


Exactly. Same with the little 150K employee computer company I
worked
for. As soon as USB ports showed up on computers, they were made
inoperable. (No card-readers at that time.) That was well before the
year 2000.


Many years ago I used to service some data equipment at a defense
contractor site. I was required to leave my calculator at the security
check-in desk for the same reason. This was long before USB ever came
into existence. And of course, there is the most popular story floating
around about the banning of Furbies, due to their small memory function.
Data loss concerns have been around for a long, long time.
  #10  
Old May 13th 18, 03:47 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
nospam
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,718
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

In article , Frank Slootweg
wrote:


The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of (a)
concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a defence
contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of infection.


Exactly. Same with the little 150K employee computer company I worked
for. As soon as USB ports showed up on computers, they were made
inoperable. (No card-readers at that time.) That was well before the
year 2000.


there weren't very many usb peripherals 'well before the year 2000' so
disabling the usb ports didn't make much of a difference.

meanwhile, ethernet ports remained active...
  #11  
Old May 13th 18, 04:31 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Libor Striz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 25
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

Jason Wrote in message:

I recall a few years ago reading that the Pentagon had
such a policy in place and had filled USB sockets with
epoxy to enforce it.

Quite a disadvantage if one is using a USB mouse or keyboard.

--
Libor Striz aka Poutnik ( a pilgrim/wanderer/wayfarer)

"Humour is the only effective weapon against stupidity."
Miloš Forman


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/
  #12  
Old May 13th 18, 06:45 PM posted to alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul[_32_]
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Posts: 11,873
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

nospam wrote:
In article , Frank Slootweg
wrote:

The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of (a)
concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a defence
contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of infection.

Exactly. Same with the little 150K employee computer company I worked
for. As soon as USB ports showed up on computers, they were made
inoperable. (No card-readers at that time.) That was well before the
year 2000.


there weren't very many usb peripherals 'well before the year 2000' so
disabling the usb ports didn't make much of a difference.

meanwhile, ethernet ports remained active...


You know that Ethernet ports can be blocked, right ?

A manager at work learned this the hard way. The IT department
would only schedule a workstation move, for a date a few weeks
into the future. The newly minted manager said "come on, you lads,
and help me move this computer" (the gentleman was an "I don't
take No for an answer" type).

The routers were set up with MAC filtering, so "strange" Ethernet
devices would be ignored. And sure enough, upon connecting the
machine and booting... "no network" was the result.

So sure, it may look like an Ethernet port, but you'd better
have good knowledge of what MAC address to appropriate before
that connection is going to work. That's why they buy equipment
with features like that, just to make a damn nuisance of
themselves with it :-) We all had a good chuckle about
the "test results", and had to drive all the equipment back
up the hall again afterwards.

If a party doing industrial espionage had an insider who
could collect MAC addresses, they could probably manage
to bypass that feature. It's not like the method is
"Fort Knox" or anything. But at the time, it was pretty funny
that a legit employee move could be blocked that way.

Paul
  #13  
Old May 13th 18, 07:24 PM posted to alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
nospam
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,718
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

In article , Paul
wrote:

The company I worked for banned them many years ago - for reasons of (a)
concern of theft of secure [either in the government (it was a defence
contractor) or commercial sense] material, and (b) fear of infection.
Exactly. Same with the little 150K employee computer company I worked
for. As soon as USB ports showed up on computers, they were made
inoperable. (No card-readers at that time.) That was well before the
year 2000.


there weren't very many usb peripherals 'well before the year 2000' so
disabling the usb ports didn't make much of a difference.

meanwhile, ethernet ports remained active...


You know that Ethernet ports can be blocked, right ?


of course, except that would make the computer rather useless.

the point is that blocking usb ports, especially at a time when there
weren't very many usb devices available (as in almost nothing, it was
usb 1.0 days), while leaving everything else wide open, is completely
pointless.

A manager at work learned this the hard way. The IT department
would only schedule a workstation move, for a date a few weeks
into the future. The newly minted manager said "come on, you lads,
and help me move this computer" (the gentleman was an "I don't
take No for an answer" type).

The routers were set up with MAC filtering, so "strange" Ethernet
devices would be ignored. And sure enough, upon connecting the
machine and booting... "no network" was the result.


finding a valid mac address and spoofing it is incredibly trivial.

mac address filtering is a very big clue that the sysadmins do not
understand anything about network security.
  #14  
Old May 13th 18, 08:14 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Stephen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 34
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

On Sun, 13 May 2018 01:11:10 +0800, "Mr. Man-wai Chang"
wrote:

[BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks
Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44069488

Staff at IBM have been banned from using removable memory devices such
as USB sticks, SD cards and flash drives.

The possibility of "financial and reputational" damage if staff lost or
misused the devices prompted the decision, reported The Register.

Instead, IBM staff who need to move data around will be encouraged to do
so via an internal network.

The decree banning removable storage acknowledges that complying with it
could be "disruptive".

Losing data

.... more ....


IBM engineers are going to have fun when some of their systems use USB
flash drives for diagnostics......

anyhow there are rumours that there was an attacvk of common sense and
exceptions
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/0..._every where/

--
Stephen
  #15  
Old May 13th 18, 08:29 PM posted to alt.comp.freeware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt,alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.conspiracy
Ant[_2_]
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Posts: 554
Default [BBC] IBM workers banned from using USB sticks

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt Libor Striz wrote:
....
Welcome to UseNet mate.

Being here for more then 20 years, mate.


Usenet forever.
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