Is it possible to software write protect a usb drive ?

Jon_01

I’ve just got a shinny new Kingston 2 gig flash drive but was a little surprised to find no write protect switch which my cheap one has…
I’ve Googled but can’t find if there’s any way to software write protect these things ? (I have really strong feeling this can’t be done, but thought it was worth asking just in case).

MercilessKiller

Just did a search and found:
http://www.timeatlas.com/mos/Useful_Utilities/Free/How_to_Password_Protect_Your_USB_Drive/
http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/howto/password-protect-USB-flash-drive.html
http://www.magic2003.net/

etc...

Did you really use google?

espresso

Truecrypt will software encrypt your files etc.

Jon_01

Yup, but I'm looking to write protect, not password protect.

Millionaire

Jon_01 wrote: »

Yup, but I'm looking to write protect, not password protect.

Not sure if this will work but..

Will creating a folder on the USB drive then "right clicking" then "properties" and "advanced" and selecting read only not work?

Then add files to the folder.

espresso

Jon_01 wrote: »

Yup, but I'm looking to write protect, not password protect.

So you actually want to protect the files from yourself!

movilogo

You can create a partition on the USB drive using a Linux filesystem. It will be visible from Linux but from Windows it will be hidden.

But then you've to access it from Linux always

rash.m2k

He't not looking to HIDE/ENCRYPT - just make sure they can't get deleted!!!!!

There is no way of doing that! Unless your stick supports it.

Jon_01

rash.m2k wrote: »

He't not looking to HIDE/ENCRYPT - just make sure they can't get deleted!!!!!

There is no way of doing that! Unless your stick supports it.

Which is what I thought the answer would be, damn...

Looks like I won't be using this one as a toolkit disc.

Dose adding a read/write switch really add that much to the cost ?