34 comment

1. Someone with physical access to the computer can still easily transfer the “sensitive” files to another computer or enable the USB by using a bootable media. I would not bother with “protection” that does not protect.

2. I am using the same method to deny the access

   Edit /etc/modprobe.conf
   and added the entry
   install usb_storage wall “Critical device malfunction! Drive will be formatted”
   Save it

3. @Humberto Massa:
   “…by using a bootable media” which is then secured against via disabling BIOS Boot Order (Floppy/USB/CD, then HDD, etc.)+BIOS password. One could maintain the USB bridge active, however.

   It’s accepted fact the majority of data theft occurs fr in-house, disgruntled employees. This HOW-TO keeps USB abilities for admins, but locks out users.

   Troll attempt fail. Go back to 4chan.

4. Can any one tell me how to get out of it means, I was able to disable the driver using the second option :
   
You can also remove USB Storage driver, enter:
# ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko
# mv /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko /root


   But now I do not know how to enable it back

   1. Copy back driver and load drive into system:

      mv /root/usb-storage.ko  /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/
      modprobe usb-storage

      1. I am using this command but Usb not blocking & when i put the pen drive is laptop showing the all files & folders.

         what i will do ?

5. insert the module by using insmod command.

   insmod /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/
   modprobe usb-storage.ko

6. Thanks Mohan,
   I will definitely try that out and let u know …..

   Thanks alot again for the help.

7. dear sir,
   how to disable pendrive in domain user ? please give me replay

8. This works great!

9. This only works but after I restart my Lucid Lynx, the USB device storage is mounted again on the desktop.

   I’ve already tried.

   sudo gedit /etc/rc.local/

   sudo rmmod usb_storage
   sudo modprobe -r usb_storage

   echo ‘install usb-storage : ‘ >> /etc/modprobe.conf

   ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko
   mv /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko /root

   How do I really unmount it?

   Nothing works for me!!!

10. what OS & version is yours?

    if ubuntu only what you have to do is:

    ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko
    mv /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko /root

    reboot

    after that you may check “dmsg” for any bugs accruing

11. Hi JAS, yes I’ve tried what you said, to REBOOT, but try this:

    *assuming you’ve already DISABLED USB Storage Device AutoMount in Lucid Lynx*

    1. Turn OFF computer
    2. Insert any USB Storage Device
    3. Turn ON computer & boot to your desktop
    4. Wala! USB Storage Device is alive & kicking in there!

12. Nevermind, I solved it by:

    sudo gconf-editor

    Uncheck & Set As Default:

    apps>nautilus>preferences>media_automount

    Thanks. :)

13. After sometime, none of this still worked for me, I tried to mount a Seagate USB external Hard Disk, and somehow it MOUNTED!

    Ubuntu, what a shame.

    So I though of a quick and dirty fix.

    sudo chmod 000 /media

    Try to mount your media you suckers. I kid, I kid.

    1. thanks… your command is very helpfull me

    2. thanks

14. So I guess, it’s a little TOO Extreme to 000 /media entirely.

    Finally, after reading a lot of tutorials and howto’s. vivitek can you update your post. Really, this tutorial doesn’t work for me.

    As it turns out, try leaving your usb device storage in your computer port and reboot, see that it will automount even though you’ve removed usb-storage.ko.

    After further investigation, I found out the reason why, when I boot, I noticed usb_storage module is still Loaded, dunno, where the kernel gets it from, since I already removed it as stated in this tutorial.

    Check it for yourself:

    lsmod | grep usb

    So I just inserted rmmod usb_storage in the /rc.local of my Ubuntu so it doesn’t get a module upon insertion, of course, remove also the usb-storage.ko from your kernel, beware, upon kernel NEW INSTALL, it will be back there again. So lock your kernel versions!

    Whew.

    Hope this is my final solution. Thanks.

    1. Hey thanks.. it works for me !!

15. thanks! but i cant disable usb storage with this way! i use debian, please help me! :-s

    mv …. dont work!

16. sorry……
    by just moving /lib/modules/2.6.18-164.el5/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko to /root doesnt work…..
    i think there is something more to do……..
    pls do rply if anyone has a sugession……..

17. ah… alas i found some simple way to get through…
    For disabling using cmd——————————————
    jst move the modules to some other location other than the default..
    #mv /lib/modules/2.6.18-164.el5/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko /root(or to any other place)
    this is for mass storage blocking….
    for blocking other usb connections like netsetter etc use the cmd below
    #mv /lib/modules/2.6.18-164.el5/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/usbserial.ko /root
    2.6.18-164.el5 is my kernal version.. u could view ur version by #uname -r
    For enabling—– do he revrse! bring the file back
    #mv /root/usb-storage.ko /lib/modules/2.6.18-164.el5/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko
    #mv /root/usbserial.ko /lib/modules/2.6.18-164.el5/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/usbserial.ko
    After that type #modprobe -a usbserial
    #modprobe -a usb_storage
    ————————SIMPLEST WAY IS TO BLOCK in GRUB——————————
    Open the /etc/grub.conf and edit the kernal line and insert ‘nousb’
    kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-164.el5 ro root=LABEL=/ nousb rhgb quiet
    #reboot
    and U’r done……….
    wen u need to enable just edit and remove ‘nousb’ and reboot
    ———————————ThankYou————————————————————–

    1. Hey Ganesh, thanks.. Its working.. I think u have vast knowledge in linux. I would like to know more about linux.. how can i contact u??

       1. thnk u arun…..
          do keep in touch…. post your doubts here……
          we’l do the bst to slve them…….

18. hi, guys.

    to remove the driver, move it
    # mv /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/storage/usb-storage.ko /root

    and update the initramfs
    # update-initramfs -k all -c -v

    after updating initramfs , surelly it will not reapear.

    reboot

19. Worked for me using Grub Method ,it worked perfectly and i think it disabled also the USB Power ,cuz im not seeing Led’s lighted in my keyboard.

20. hey, i m using fedora & i want to block all the USB’s & give access to a particular usb device..
    I tried changin kernel entries using grub command but it is completely blocking all the usbs
    can anyone help me?

    1. #block only local user not a root
       sudo chmod 700 /media

       1. Best and more elegant solution of all.

21. thnk u dennis

22. i tried mv command to disable the usb.it worked but when i try to enable it using modprobe usb-storage or insmod command it fails.gives me warning with the previous as depreciated config file /etc/modprobe.conf ,all config files belong in /etc/modprobe.d
    what to do?plz help me.its urgent

23. None of these work, is there no proper site for Linux commands

24. I dont have that modprobe.conf file in my etc folder.

    [[email protected] ~]$ ls /etc/ | grep -i modprobe
    modprobe.d
    [[email protected] ~]$ ls /etc/modprobe.d/
    blacklist.conf disable-ipv6.conf dist-oss.conf iwlagn.conf
    blacklist-kvm.conf dist-alsa.conf ibm-sound.conf iwlwifi.conf
    blacklist-toshiba_acpi.conf dist.conf iwl3945.conf

25. nousb in Grub is great except when the server has a usb keyboard like Dell’s.

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