Write protected SD card problem

RussJK · 25 May 2011 at 5:06PM

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

I remember reading this on the SANS site. They were comparing it to the write-protect switch you get on some USB sticks (very useful if you don't want corporate AV software deleting all your penetration testing tools). http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=10588

Quite funny, imagining this guy acting like James Bond at cocktail parties, pulling out his mini-SD reader etc.

Looks like it's DVD/CDs or find one of those rare/expensive write-protected USB drives.

T_T_2 · 25 May 2011 at 5:10PM

RussJK wrote: »

So you can't trust the writeprotect feature when using it on a compromised system like you could with floppy discs?

You could never really trust the floppy either. It can be overriden within the firmware or as another user suggested by tampering with the lock switch. You can also remove the soft disc from within the floppy and place it in a host casing that has no switch.

RussJK · 25 May 2011 at 5:26PM

T_T wrote: »

You could never really trust the floppy either. It can be overriden within the firmware or as another user suggested by tampering with the lock switch.

Last time I looked into floppies, it was considered 'practically' safe because of the difficulties in malware finding the right firmware to alter a particular floppy drive. A bit like the argument again bios rootkits I suppose.

I can't say I've ever worried that someone might be changing the casings on my floppy discs

geordieracer · 25 May 2011 at 5:32PM

paddyrg wrote: »

It doesn't connect to anything - it isn't a switch, it just presses (or doesn't) a switch in the reader - a blob pf stuff in the 'lock' or 'unlock' poition will make it so forever :-)

Bit pointless it having one then IMO..

thanks for the advice ill give it a whirl.

T_T_2 · 25 May 2011 at 5:37PM

geordieracer wrote: »

Bit pointless it having one then IMO..

thanks for the advice ill give it a whirl.

It's basically a failsafe against windows (or more likely the user) accidentally overwriting or deleting files that they don't want to. It shouldn't be considered a security device unless the thieves in question have no fingers

paddyrg · 25 May 2011 at 6:13PM

It's just to reduce the risk of accidents, it doesn't encrypt anything or affect the gubbins, just more a guide for the compueter to say 'the owner doesn't want to overwrite this stuff, so let's not'

T_T_2 · 25 May 2011 at 6:26PM

paddyrg wrote: »

just more a guide for the compueter to say 'the owner doesn't want to overwrite this stuff, so let's not'

Or in the case of windows: "The owner don't want this to be overwritten, but let's do it anyway cos it'll be hilarious! Better yet, let's wipe the whole bleedin' lot, wedding pictures un' all"

...although I'm not entirely sure why windows would speak like a pirate.

RussJK · 25 May 2011 at 8:49PM

T_T wrote: »

Or in the case of windows: "The owner don't want this to be overwritten, but let's do it anyway cos it'll be hilarious! Better yet, let's wipe the whole bleedin' lot, wedding pictures un' all"

...although I'm not entirely sure why windows would speak like a pirate.

Must be its West Country heritage.