Search This Blog

Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Showing posts with label Flash drive. Show all posts

IronKey: What is it & How Is It Different From Other Storage Drives

IronKey

The world of online cloud storage

We live in a world of online cloud storage, where all our data is accessible everywhere and on any gadget. This has made the act of having physical storage media a lesser concern than it once used to be and more like a throwaway gadget with which we can do some cool things.

However, removing movies and episodes from streaming services and continual modifications to social media and other online archives have made physical storage more necessary than anything. We've all had a flash drive at some point, and they've grown throughout time, getting larger and more reliable.

IoT and rising concerns

With more than 40 lakh attacks on IoT (Internet of Things) devices, India is among one of the Top 10 Victims Countries lists in the world. This can be a disappointment for Tech Freaks and companies that have just begun using IoT devices but don't consider protecting their IoT devices such as smart cameras. Hackers didn't even flinch while penetrating the systems. That's how simple the breakthrough was.

“Simple methods like password guessing are used for getting the entry in IoT devices. Some sufferers of these attacks set passwords as naive as 'Admin.' And now, India has made it to the index of the top 10 countries that fell prey to IoT attacks in 2019,” reported CySecurity in 2019.

When looking for external storage, you may come across the IronKey series, a pretty flashy and eye-catching name for a simple flash drive. What distinguishes these from conventional flash drives and makes them so expensive? And, more importantly, is it worthwhile? Here's your comprehensive guide on understanding the IronKey.

IronKey: What is it?

IronKey is a flash drive brand created in the early 2000s by IronKey, a Homeland Security-funded Internet security and privacy startup that was later bought by Kingston. These were designed to provide additional security for the government, military, and business clients. While they function similarly to other flash drives, IronKey's hardware encryption differentiates it (and makes it rather pricey).

Though software encryption is simple and secure for most files, it is not as extensive or as powerful as hardware encryption, which integrates a cryptoprocessor into the device. The IronKey flash drive uses 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption in XTS mode, as well as FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation and on-device Cryptochip Encryption Key management. 

When you remove the flash drive, it senses physical tampering and immediately safeguards your data. You can use a sophisticated password or a secret phrase of up to 255 characters long to get to the files for further security, and if you fail to enter the right password ten times, the drive immediately shuts down and optionally destroys the files.

IronKey: Do you really need one?

So, do you require one? That varies on how you intend to make use of it. If you solely store schoolwork or images, paying $77 for an 8GB flash drive may be expensive. However, if you have sensitive corporate records or government secrets, it may be worth spending a bit more to avoid being the victim of a security breach.

Preventing a USB Killer Threat

A USB Killer is a USB drive that was altered to emit an electrical surge that can break or destroy hardware when a modified flash drive is plugged into a computer's USB port.

The concept for USB Killers was created by a Russian researcher named Dark Purple with the stated objective to eliminate delicate computer parts. When a USB Killer device is inserted into a USB port, it draws power from the devices' USB power sources and stores it in its own capacitors. It holds this procedure until a high voltage is reached. Once finished, it discharges the accumulated negative 220 volts of high voltage onto the USB data pins. An estimated 215–220 volts can be produced by the USB Killers that are now on the market. The host device's circuitry is harmed or destroyed as a result.

Its capacitors rapidly accumulate this enormous voltage. As long as the gadget is connected and hasn't been damaged to the point that it can no longer charge itself, the charge/discharge cycle also continues numerous times per second.

This approach makes nearly any unprotected equipment susceptible to high voltage attack. For years, malicious software has been spread via USB sticks, including viruses that can infect computers. This is probably because they are easy and affordable to design and buy. Unaware users frequently utilize them to store and transport data.


A USB Killer Attack: How to Prevent It

1. Keep Unknown Drives Out of the Plug

Social engineering, or using deceptive techniques to persuade people to connect a malicious device, is at the heart of many USB risks.

2. When possible, turn off USB ports

If it is possible, disabling USB ports is a great way to stop USB attacks, including USB Killer attacks.

3. Register online

A computer's virtual environment that hosts a mockup of your computer inside of your computer. It won't have an impact on your data or network if you connect to the drive and open it in the virtual environment.

It swiftly ruins a PC once you plug it into a USB port. Moreover, refraining from using unknown USB devices on computers is the greatest approach to stop USB Killers from causing PC damage. The majority of USB-related attacks can be effectively prevented by following the best cybersecurity measures. For complete security, you can physically cap and disable the USB ports in your business.

Even measures implemented to guard against USB assaults are not 100% secure. Never trust unknown disks, periodically examine those you do use, and utilize security features like passwords, PIN codes, and data encryption. Ideally, being informed of the strategies that hackers employ as well as having strong hardware and software security can keep you safe from any unpleasant digital illnesses.

Alert! USB Flash Drive Malware: Threats Decoded!


The cybercriminals have gotten all the savvier when it comes to finding out new ways of administering malware into the victims’ devices.

The next in the list happens to be “Malicious USB sticks”. These are employed whenever an attacker needs a “physical” entrance to a computer or any device for that matter.

The first related incident goes back a decade when the highly malicious, “Stuxnet” worm was disseminated to attack Iranian networks by means of USB sticks.

An “unattended” USB flash drive might as well cause an equally malicious problem if plugged into a host network or system. These drives could be carrying viruses or even ransomware.

The ultimate motive of these drives could range from easy-going hacking into systems to disrupting major businesses and their operations.

These USB sticks are extremely malicious and could lead to major setbacks and cyber harm for victim organizations and their clients and other individuals at large.

Reportedly, there are several other malware that are carried and transmitted through USB flash drives and per sources they encompass of:

1. The “Flame” modular computer malware
2. The “Duqu” collection of computer malware


There are numerous things, threats, and risks that a malicious USB flash drive poses to its users. Backdoors, Trojans, ransomware attacks and information stealing are common endeavors.


As per sources, browser hijackers could also be installed to mislead the users to the hackers’ website where adware, grey ware, malware or spyware could be injected in the device.

The users could follow the following safety and protection mechanisms to steer clear of the contingencies of the aforementioned attacks:

1. Updating the computer and other device software on a regular basis is a must. All the essential patches must be downloaded to clear the vulnerabilities.
2. Enable all the security features on the devices. Fingerprint authentication is a good option in such cases.
3. Keep all your USB flash drives absolutely secure and safe and prepared against hackers.
4. Never plug in unauthorized or unknown USB flash drives in your business devices especially those at your workplace.
5. Keep separate drives for work and home devices.