On 11/23/08, Mike C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Of course, blindly thwacking people / dragging them to HR by the hair >> when they're really just trying to do their jobs is >> counter-productive. The calls also show us where we, security, are >> falling down. Perhaps it's poor awareness training (if the user didn't >> know that they shouldn't run unapproved software, or why we have that >> rule, or how to get a new app approved); or could be that the official >> route is being seen as too slow or bureaucratic, in which case it >> needs fixing. And so on. >> > > All I hope is we can fix the issue. Hopefully in the near future. >
Yeah! Here is my prospective to a possible solution that wouldn't compromise usability. But, first lets all agree on "banning execution of any binary from removable media" is the only straightforward solution this decades old problem of virus infection/propagation from removable media. See, if a web-page tries to install an activeX / browser plugin, your browser (non intrusively) waits for user interaction with a security warning message on "if you really intend to install the plugin (Which may be harmful!)" or .......may choose to ignore the dialog and continue browsing. Here, it is assumed "user understands" the security impact of executing untrusted programs from internet and let the execution decision left to the end user with manual interaction. If the plugin installation behavior is not intended user can simply ignore the manual interaction request for execution and instead continue. In similar way, anti virus company or Microsoft should create similar for "My Computer Zone" where the first execution of a binary "from removable media" is denied by default and prompt for user interaction to execute, white list&execute or terminate/ban the request for execution from removable media like the way internet explorer (non intrusively) handles installation of activeX like in IE. Binary execution from removable media should be treated that way ( untrusted ! ) Pen drive / SD have unique serial numbers which can be used to identify and permanently whitelist or blacklist the media from execution. Windows already has a feature for prompting if user tries to execute binary from intranet/shared folder or execution of binary marked as downloaded from "Internet Zone" Why not have similar for binary execution from removable media as well!? What better could be the solution to stopping virus to propagate from removable medias with (default) FAT file system. (lacking ACL's) For corporate environment let there be feature to sync these white listed/blacklisted hashes of executable or removable media UID from anti virus server/domain controller to anti virus clients/related service running in user end. Will this work :)? -thanks, bipin _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
