[WEB4LIB] RE: Testimony re: flash pens

[Chris Murphy]

Susan Glickman wrote:
> I have a question about the flash drives for those of you in public
> libraries...are you allowing your patrons to use them on your public access
> computers? What are you doing about security and viruses?

We have allowed USB access on our public computers for ca. 2 years 
without problems--flash/pen/key/stick drives, cameras, etc. Security has 
not been a problem due to our antivirus, software to prevent permanent 
changes to the hard drive (Deep Freeze), and Windows group policies 
enforcing network restrictions and a whitelist of executables.

In fact, patrons who use these devices have made my life easier. No 
issues with floppies gone bad, no issues with moving files between our 
PCs and laptops (even Macs), and easy transfer of big files.

The only problems have been those devices, mostly cameras, needing 
software installed. For those cases, I have a stand alone PC with Deep 
Freeze available for people to put on whatever they want.

Regards,

Chris Murphy

-- 
Christopher Murphy
Information Systems Manager
The Community Library, Ketchum, Idaho
http://www.thecommunitylibrary.org