Restricting the use of removeable storage - do you?

[tarquel]

Hi all

 

Just a quick question and poll as I'm wondering what everyone does when it comes to staff and teachers using CD-ROM, floppy and USB storage devices...

 

I'm not in certain staff members' good books as on the XP pc's, i've prevented the use of the Floppy and CD-ROM drives via GP.

 

They moan now because they *need* to use them for their "CD's" tha they have...(what these are I'm not sure but whateveer they are, they dont ask me about it first so.... :S)

 

How does everyone strike a ruling on this sort of thing regarding this, etc.?

 

I'd like to say to them "well its what the majority of schools in the UK do so would you argue with all of them too?" but I cant back that up (unless I know what I say is true of course lol)

 

What does everyone think and if you do do that, how do you allow them to "bring in work"?

 

(I assume allowing USB "pen" devices but no CD's or floppies

 

Cheers,

Nath

[ChrisH]

There are no CD or floppy drives in 99% of my clients and I restrict access to drives for students and relax that slightly so teachers can use the D drive which will be a USB pen drive.

Apparently many moons ago they had a bad virus infection which did naughty things to the BIOS and the ended up with a lot of broken PCs. So from then on no removable storage access.

It can be a pain people constantly coming to me to put stuff to and from their home directory but better than them having free reign. When the new email is fully setup up this should help.

[Ric_]

My preferred policy is no access to drives for the little darlings, relaxed slightly to allow access for staff.

 

Since everyone can have email access, they can send files that way (more reliable than disks anyway). This method also means that you can restrict filetypes and scan the inbound attachments.

[ninjabeaver]

We've got it set here that students in the VI Form have usb memory stick access. Staff have CD and USB storage. We also allow some Year 11's to have USB access, but only after they sign an agreement and get permission off of the Head of Technology.

[russdev]

they can access cd drives etc but can not run programs etc from it all they can do is copy across and as aprt of new aup they have to ask before putting any kind of media in.

 

Russ

[Geoff]

The machines at carrhill have no CD/Floppy drives.

[MkII]

I was asked to open up CD Drives to students this year. I deny access to drives using hidecalc.

How do people open up access to USB Drives? - I find it a bit hit and miss in my non-configured setup - the machine allocates what it thinks but that can sometimes conflict with a scripted network share - and so be invisible to the user.

[ConTheITGuy]

Most new machines have no CD or Floppy drives, and my next batch of machines will be thin clients - pen drives are allowed. Access to Floppy and CD is currently allowed where available - but staff cannot install (neither can students for that matter ) So I often get the phonecalls: "I'm trying to install such-a thing but it won't let me", allowing me to step in with the licensing, dodgy software, etc. lecture!

 

Andy

[StewartKnight]

I'm using securus, which allows me to see any key word (i.e. e:/). All the kids know I can see whats on their pen drives, so they don't abuse that! None of the machines have floppies, and I've stopped them using the cds, which isn't too much trouble for the little darlings, as I've disabled the sound cards!

[ChrisH]

and I've stopped them using the cds, which isn't too much trouble for the little darlings, as I've disabled the sound cards!

 

rofl nice one

[tarquel]

Wow...I really started a hot topic here late last night lol

 

Not got time to reply to all them posts but really handy to know what others do

 

Since everyone can have email access, they can send files that way (more reliable than disks anyway). This method also means that you can restrict filetypes and scan the inbound attachments.

 

Call me stupid (you may) but I'm assuming you are using some sort of way using Exchange that allows the staff/users to save work to their own folder by logging onto their email from home right?

 

Cheers

Nath

[MkII]

...I've disabled the sound cards!

 

That's a bit mean! - 'tis annoying here - the DVD Drives are being worn out by kids putting in thier music CD's to listen to during lessons - I would find it so-o-o irritating if I were teach - but they put up with it - for a quiet life mostly I think. Well - quiet apart from that annoying tinny background noise . [We have this access because students need to legitimately rip audio to use in coursework.]

[tarquel]

[We have this access because students need to legitimately rip audio to use in coursework.]

 

Balls I say lol [with no disrespect meant]

 

If they need to rip music for coursework, then they could ask a specific teacher or you could have one pc's setup with CD-ROM access and disable the others to all pupils at least.

 

Hows that?

 

Nath

[MkII]

I could suggest it. It is however something a certain troublesome manager has his oar in - so I don't have much hope...

[Ric_]

1. Ripping music - there is no need since there is free access to the natimonal music library for schools. This contains all manner of music clips - admittedly not your pop music type of thing but it is legal!

 

** Update ** - The site is http://audio.lgfl.org.uk

 

2. Exchange access - unfortunately, they do not have access from home yet. This is a LGfL issue which is being worked on. However, they can email to their school address from a hotmail one or similar and vice versa.

 

I may allow access to pen-drives when I have performed my migration this summer. I simply haven't decided yet. Floppy discs never work as it is so what is the point?

[ChrisH]

/me spits on floppy discs

[tarquel]

lol indeed - i still have to use them atm tho

 

N.