No thumb drives at USMA

Colleges & Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>This was received by my cadet yesterday (I'll assume the rest of the corps got it, too). My husband received the same basic message at the CDC not long ago, so I assume it is a federal government decision regarding computers on their networks:</p>

<p>We just received confirmation from the HPCMO CERT Chief that the ban on removable flash media for Windows computers extends to the DREN. </p>

<p>Effective immediately the following devices are prohibited from being used on the USMA (DREN) network:</p>

<p>IPODs, Thumb Drives, Memory Cards, MP3 Players and Memory Sticks.</p>

<p>This includes use on the wireless and wired network.</p>

<p>Spinning USB devices are not included, USB hard drives, CD's, DVD's, etc are still authorized.</p>

<p>USMA HQ will be requesting an exception to policy, but until the official request is submitted and approved, Cadets are required to comply with this order.</p>

<p>The following was forwarded by the USMA CCB (COL Griggs; CIO, LTC Dodge; IETD, Mr. Paul Scullion; DOIM, Ms. Carole Marvin; USCC S6).</p>

<p>More guidance will be forthcoming from USCC HQ.</p>

<p>=================================================================</p>

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<p>==================================================================</p>

<p>This is not a reaction to the poor numbers reported for USB Device Scanning. We have no choice but to comply until an authorized exception is issued.</p>

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<p>I think the other academies got the same message.
I am sure this went over well - :eek:</p>

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<p>Is it related to this?</p>

<p>[The</a> Chinese cyber assault on America | Coffee House](<a href=“http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3037756/the-chinese-cyber-assault-on-america.thtml]The”>http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3037756/the-chinese-cyber-assault-on-america.thtml)</p>

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<p>Why would such strict regulation happen? No flash drive? Really??</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Using jump drives/thumb drives is a very easy way to infect a PC network.</p>

<p>Think about what you would do if you “found” a thumb drive sitting on a table in Starbucks, or on the chair in the airport, or even on the sidewalk…What’s the first thing you’re gonna do with it? </p>

<p>You’re gonna say “Hey! A free Jump Drive! I better check out what files or pictures or information may be contained on it, if any, so I can either return it to the owner or keep it for myself.”</p>

<p>Guess what happens as soon as you plug it in the USB port?</p>

<p>Self-extracting virus files (using the auto-run feature in Windows, which is ON by default until you turn it off) have just infected your computer. </p>

<p>Rule #1 with jump drives - plug it into a Mac first. ;)</p>

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<p>maybe we sould get a cadet’s view on this but the way i read this is to say that cadets can no longer have IPODs plugged into your computer and if that is the case then really what good is an IPOD</p>

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<p>This is not true WP is one of the few instillations that can still use IPODs and flash drives.</p>

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<p>Judging by the message posted at the top of this thread, I would assume they no longer can use their IPOD in their usma computer.</p>

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<p>I’m with Tinidril. I’ll bet it has something to do with Chinese hacking of our military systems.</p>

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<p>Even though iPods fall under the spinning-drive category, they are banned as well…not sure why but may be b/c of iTunes auto-run features, as opposed to external hard drives which wouldn’t typically be set to run anything automatically.</p>

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<p>Well, my company chain of command put out earlier this week that IPODs and flash drives are still a go… for now.</p>

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<p>regardless, the ban has been lifted tonight for a very few DoD networks, West Point being one of them.</p>