Hi all,
A while back, the Kanguru protectable USB memory stick was mentioned in
one of the threads on the DC404 forum and was promoted as a good way to
troubleshoot infected computers, etc. The memory stick has a write
protect switch similar to the ones on SD flash memory cards, so you can
prevent anything from being written to it. I've also read that memory
sticks usually boot faster than CD's.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00190IX40/
You can find other capacities by searching amazon for the word Kanguru.
I decided to order the 8 GB unit just in case I need the protectability
of it some day. I've always favored CD-R's for troubleshooting infected
computers specifically because they are unwritable once the file system
is finalized. Also, you can easily burn a CD for a few cents per
occurrence. However, memory sticks can be a good alternative IF USED
PROPERLY. Of course, it would not be cost effective to buy, say 10,
memory sticks at $ 30 in order to have 10 different bootable 'things'.
Here are some observations about the product after a few minutes with it.
* The device seems to be well built, with a mostly metal blue (on mine)
case.
* The device works as advertised, and refused to copy files to it or
format when the switch was in the lock position using Windows 7
explorer. I haven't tried it on Linux, Android, or Mac (can't). I'm
presuming the device itself is preventing writing, rather than just
"asking" the OS not to write. You can do the same thing with most full
sized SD cards and SD card adapters.
* The device has a led that flashes (through the area near the loop for
a lanyard or keyring) when it's being accessed.
* I cannot speak to issues of speed or longevity.
There is one psychological and one physical problem with the device that
you need to be aware of.
The psychological problem is that it's going to screw up your psychology
and you're going to misuse the product. There is a very small symbol on
only ONE position of the switch. Without looking or thinking too hard,
I flipped the switch toward the symbol thinking I was locking the
device, just like most SD flash cards work. I put the stick in and was
immediately able to copy files to the device, to my chagrin. The symbol
is an UNLOCK symbol, which is completely counter-intuitive to me.
The first thing I did then was to get a small piece of a post-it note,
draw a CLOSED padlock symbol on it, add the word LOK (not much space to
write on) on it, and cut it out and added this new legend to the
opposite side of the switch. I secured it with scotch tape.
Now, I simply flip the switch toward my new LOK symbol to lock the
device, which IS intuitive to me.
The physical problem is that, while the switch does work, it is NOT very
resistant to being moved. It is also badly positioned. When you put
the memory stick into your pc, you should grab the device with your
fingers across the FAT sides of the device, rather than the narrow
sides. If you're grabbing the narrow sides while inserting the device
into the pc, which you would naturally do, and if your fingers slide
toward the pc AT ALL, you WILL unlock the device, negating the one
advantage of owning the thing in the first place. In that case, a virus
could easily infect your memory stick with all your AV tools.
Finally, you must check the switch position EVERY time you put it into
the pc, as there is a good likelihood it will be in the wrong position.
Also, obviously, you must flip the switch to LOCK after you copy your
tools to the memory stick before you use it. You would expect that, but
you may not remember it. This isn't a problem with a CD with a
finalized file system. In that case, you just grab the CD and go.
Other than those issues, I really like the device. I'll keep it in my
bag of tricks. However, I hope I don't have to be troubleshooting any
viri any time soon.
Sincerely,
Ron
--
(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone. I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such. I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)
Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O) Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
_______________________________________________
tech-chat mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.linuxmoose.com/mailman/listinfo/tech-chat
