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Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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In news:r5h4i8t5jgps62kpusvmsr3e0rbm12ffa6@4ax.com,
Tecknomage <tecknode@NOSPAM.invalid> typed:
> On Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:51:56 -0500, micky
> <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>
>> I just got a used netbook, an ACER Aspire One D250,
>> about 2 years old complete with original directions, one
>> of which is to burn a CD or DVD to hold the OS (XP)
>> etc., and another to hold drivers, etc.   It came with
>> an external DVD burner (originally purchased separately)
>> , but given that the thing has no CD or DVD reader in
>> it, wouldn't I be better off using flash drives instead
>> of DVDs?
>>
>> Related, I think.     Its boot options include USB
>> floppy, USB hard drive, and USB CD drive**.   Which of
>> these seems most like USB Flash Drive to you all?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>
> Note that a boot to a USB Stick is a security risk.  It
> allows anybody to sneak in use their USB, and boot your
> system then hack-in.  This is why many newer systems do
> not allow *external* USB boot at all, or default to
> 'disabled' USB boot.
>
> Using an external boot device is one of the oldest
> espionage computer hacking methods.

That would depend on who can physcally access the computer. In your own home 
it should be safe.  Besides, that's why you make CSS copies of your boot 
disk, no? Then you just boot from the disc and reinstall the boot drive to 
the time you made the backup. Such backups should be kept up to date, BTW.

In the workplace or anything where strangers/colleagues might get to it, 
then it could be a security risk, the operative word being "could", not 
"will".
   Besides, you also have the opportunity to turn the USB boot, if it's 
available, ON and OFF at will. It's no big deal to make those changes.
   On my machine, booting from the USP with a thumb drive works as well as 
booting from a drive. I also have Linux on it just in case something drastic 
happens and I don't have time to do the fixes required when all I need is 
some information that's stashed in a backup.

HTH,

Twayne`
H,

Twayne`

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Thread

Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> - 2013-02-18 01:51 -0500
  Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB "J. P. Gilliver (John)" <G6JPG@soft255.demon.co.uk> - 2013-02-18 07:31 +0000
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> - 2013-02-18 22:21 -0500
  Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> - 2013-02-18 07:48 -0500
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> - 2013-02-18 22:22 -0500
  Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB Tecknomage <tecknode@NOSPAM.invalid> - 2013-02-18 07:17 -0800
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB "Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> - 2013-02-18 15:20 -0500
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> - 2013-02-18 22:31 -0500
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> - 2013-02-19 08:18 -0500
  Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB "Twayne" <nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> - 2013-02-18 15:13 -0500
    Re: Backing up OS to USB?, bootting from USB micky <NONONOmisc07@bigfoot.com> - 2013-02-18 22:24 -0500

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