Securing USB Devices

The Secure USB configuration is used for both users and computers to block or unblock the use of the USB devices.

Using this configuration, you can block or unblock the following devices:

• Mouse devices
• Disk drives (for example, USB drives and external hard-disk drives)
• CD ROMs
• Portable devices (for example, mobile phones, digital cameras and portable media players)
• Floppy disks
• Bluetooth devices
• Images (for example, USB cameras and scanners)
• Printers
• Modems

You can also exclude devices using the Device Instance ID assigned to each device.

Applying Secure USB Settings to Computers and Users

When you apply the Secure USB configuration to both computers and users, the settings made for computers will be applied before the settings made for users. For example, assume that you have made the following settings:

• Settings for users
• Administrator: You have unblocked the usage of the disk drive
• Other users (excluding the administrator): You have not deployed any configurations
• Settings for a computer: You have blocked the usage of portable devices and disk drives

The following actions will take place:

• Computer startup: The Secure USB configuration settings made for the computer are applied when the computer is started. This means that no portable devices and disk drives can be used.
• Administrator logon: The Secure USB configuration for the computer is applied. However, it is over written by the settings made for the administrator. This means that the administrator can use disk drives.
• Other users (excluding the administrator) log on: The Secure USB configuration made for the computer is applied.
• Other users (excluding the administrator)log off: The log off-action settings made for users are applied when a user logs off. If the log off-action setting is set to Don't alter device status, then the settings made will apply to the next user who logs on, provided that the user does not have any settings that apply to them.

Creating Configurations to Secure USB Devices

As an administrator, you can create a configuration block or unblock specific USB devices. You can also exclude specific devices, if required.

To create a configuration to secure USB devices for users, follow the steps given below:

1. Click the Configurations tab
2. Click Configuration
3. In the Computer Configurations section click Secure USB
4. Enter a name and description for the configuration
5. Select the devices to block or unblock
6. Define the target
7. Make the required execution settings
8. Click Deploy

You have created configurations to secure USB devices. These configurations will be applied during the system startup.

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Excluding Devices

When you block a device you can exclude certain devices from being blocked by using the Device Instance ID assigned to each device.

Every USB device has a unique ID. This ID is assigned to devices by the system to identify them easily.

Identifying the Device Instance ID of a Device

To identify the Device Instance ID of a device, follow the steps given below:

1. Right-click My Computer
2. Click Properties
3. Click the Hardware tab
4. Click Device Manager (Refer to the figure below)

Figure 1: Device Manager

From the list of devices, expand the list of devices for which you want the Device Instance ID.

For example, if you want to identify the Device Instance ID of a mobile phone that you have connected to the computer, expand portable devices and follow the next step.

5. Right-click on the name of a specific device and click Properties (Refer to the figure below)

Figure 2: Properties

1. Click the Details tab
2. In the drop-down box, select Device Instance ID or Device Instance Path (Refer to the figure below)

Figure 3: Device Instance ID

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You can now view and copy the Device Instance ID for a specific device.

You can exclude devices only when you have blocked a device. To exclude devices, follow the steps given below:

1. Click the Exclude Devices link against a device
2. Enter the Device Instance ID for the device
3. Click Close

You have excluded a device from being blocked.

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