While scouring through my old archives, I came across a very simple utility, that I had created back in 2005 for my dad’s office to protect the data stored on it, called USB Lock.
This small utility blocks usage of USB drives on a computer so that data/files can neither be imported nor exported. It was written in VB6 and uses a simple registry tweak to enable & disable USB Storage Devices on that computer.
What is the benefit of blocking USB Storage Drives?
There might be many benefits of blocking USB Storage Drives but let me tell you two of them.
How does USB Lock blocks USB Storage Drives?
Instead of writing a lengthy description, please read this thread(and there are many others but am too lazy to find one).
And if you are lazy like me and don’t want to visit any thread then here it is..
All it does is modify the following registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR
Yes. That’s it. Full Stop.
Under that modifying the value of DWORD Start will enable or disable USB Drives. Here are the possible values.
So what? Anyone can modify this registry values and re-enable the USB Storage drives.
True. But not everyone. You need to be smart enough to know the exact registry key to modify which wasn’t the case with my Dad’s office staff. But eventually, if the need arise, with good management of access permissions(like only allowing a specific user to modify registry key) over registry key should fulfil your need. Please note that if you restrict registry modification to a specific user, the application can work only for that user.
Okay, let me give it a try.
Warning: This application modifies registry. It would be best in your interest to create a restore point or at least make a backup of your registry before installing/using this application.
Download USBLock
If you like this application please support by clicking other the sponsored link on the right.