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Alerting upon removal of USB device

sdc

By sdc
in How do you do....it?

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sdc

sdc

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Hi everyone!

We have a number of computers that have dongle-protected software. Whilst we have previously installed the dongles inside the computer cases to avoid fiddling/loss, this is currently not an option. Is there any way that anyone has come across for alerting (email would be great) staff once a particular USB device is unplugged?

 

Thanks for any suggestions...!

ShellfishClive

ShellfishClive

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I don't think there is a way to do this, we use USB dongles for Cubase licenses and we currently have the same issue. The only solution we came up with was to cable tie the USB stick to the case, through the key ring hole at the back. They would physically have to cut the cable tie to get it out now.
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6Foot2

6Foot2

Posted
Posted
Hi everyone!

We have a number of computers that have dongle-protected software. Whilst we have previously installed the dongles inside the computer cases to avoid fiddling/loss, this is currently not an option. Is there any way that anyone has come across for alerting (email would be great) staff once a particular USB device is unplugged?

 

Thanks for any suggestions...!

I asked about something similar a while ago. I wanted to know if it were possible to be alerted when students removed keyboards/mice. I got a reply from one of the Edugeek NetSupport guys that spoke of their DNA product.

 

We currently use Impero for classroom management and so I cannot comment on Netsupport DNA but one of the NetSupport guys might be able to fill you in with more detail.

 

@Al_NetSupport, @Matt_NetSupport.

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sdc

sdc

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I don't think there is a way to do this, we use USB dongles for Cubase licenses and we currently have the same issue. The only solution we came up with was to cable tie the USB stick to the case, through the key ring hole at the back. They would physically have to cut the cable tie to get it out now.

 

This is precisely what we've done (and for Cubase as well!) - but they're still going missing... :-(

sted

sted

Posted
Posted
are you sure you cant internally mount them you can probably find a spare usb header on the mainboard and get a cable from a scrap pc (or buy one) and just leave it inside the pc(even if their arnt spare you could disconnect the front usb ports cable and use that header to internally mount a usb port
Al_NetSupport

Al_NetSupport

Posted
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Hi @DaveP thanks for the question. With NetSupport DNA we do include alerts when a USB device is added or removed.

 

In our last update we also included alerts for keyboards / mice as a result of feedback from customers.

 

Might need to investigate something for a specific USB - although we do let you monitor and see all USB devices added and activity as well as allowing you to control who can use what and where.

 

PM me if you need any more info.

 

Al

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sdc

sdc

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I'm surprised there's no event log entry generated (in Windows 10) as far as I can see for a USB device removal - it would then simply be a matter of using Task Scheduler to initiate an email upon the relevant event ID being logged... frustratingly this simple option doesn't seem to be available!
ShellfishClive

ShellfishClive

Posted
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You could take one of the PCIE Brackets at the back of the machine, and get a USB extension cable to go from the outside to the inside through that and tie it in. AI_Netsupport did reply though and that seems like a better solution.
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sdc

sdc

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Agreed; the tiny PCs don't open up in that fashion at all, anyway, sadly. Ultimately it will be down to the music department - pay for a solution, or keep paying for replacement dongles..!
pete

pete

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You can get USB-over-IP boxes (Digi make them) for dongles. They come up on eBay occasionally, but are otherwise rather expensive.

 

I'm surprised there's no event log entry generated (in Windows 10) as far as I can see for a USB device removal - it would then simply be a matter of using Task Scheduler to initiate an email upon the relevant event ID being logged... frustratingly this simple option doesn't seem to be available!

 

There is, but you have to enable it (it's off by default). You can push it out via a GPP reg entry or scripting wevtutil.

 

Application & Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > DriverFrameworks-UserMode > Operational log

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Fazza

Fazza

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Posted
Is there not a expansion slot blanking plate you could modify so a USB cable with the Dongle on can pass through which you can then cable tie inside the computer? If not I'd be tempted to drill a hole in the rear of the case to facilitate such a thing. Or get the DT department to make you a metal box with a padlock that you could screw to the desk with the end of the USB cable with the Dongle on the end so it can't be nicked.
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sted

sted

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Posted
Here's a picture of these PCs, in case you've not come across them before...

https://shop.cxcomputerexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lenovo-tiny-desktop-thinkcentre-m83-back-12.jpg

 

They're a little limiting for this sort of thing, but great otherwise.

 

be a bit messy but just make the hole in the serial port expansion punchout big enough for a usb cable and a short extension lead then just run teh lead into teh hole and put the dongle in inside the case themn close kids can remove the cable granted but the dongles still inside

lenovo-tiny-desktop-thinkcentre-m83-back-12.jpg

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Fazza

Fazza

Posted
Posted
be a bit messy but just make the hole in the serial port expansion punchout big enough for a usb cable and a short extension lead then just run teh lead into teh hole and put the dongle in inside the case themn close kids can remove the cable granted but the dongles still inside

[ATTACH=CONFIG]46002[/ATTACH]

 

Doesnt look messy as the metal just breaks away if you wobble it back and forth. You can get short 15cm-ish USB leads, it's just a case of seeing if there's room inside the case for the Dongle!

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sted

sted

Posted
Posted
Doesnt look messy as the metal just breaks away if you wobble it back and forth. You can get short 15cm-ish USB leads, it's just a case of seeing if there's room inside the case for the Dongle!

 

depending on the size of the dongle i was thinking more of opening up the hole in the serial port rather than removing it as unless its a big dongle it would probably fit through a serial port sized hole

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HPlum78

HPlum78

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I had the same issue with USB dongles for licensing, I said this just the other day sometimes there is no technical solution (or at least an affordable one!), the problem with alerting on the removal of a device (a simple PowerShell Script can do this) is that it can only alert when the machine is powered up (unless you start alerting when the machine is powered off as well!). Anyhow the only real way is as others have described is physical security/ USB over Ethernet setup, I used key rings and chain this stopped the little angles cutting them as easy! now have a USB setup.
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Fazza

Fazza

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depending on the size of the dongle

 

Unplug the Dongle from the USB lead and then feed the lead through the hole and then plug in the Dongle - that way it doesnt matter how big your Dongle is.

pete

pete

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I notice there's a kensington lock slot just above one of the USB slots. Can you find a lock end and a padlock the right size to go through the lock end and the keyring hole of the dongle?

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