Mark - i think i missed your point before:

"I wonder how google driver can know what PC I'm syncing from such
that they can block it."

What i referring to was Google Drive. The Windows app can only be
downloaded/activated on PC's and Macs if the Apps Administrator allows
Drive to be installed on these devices.

There is no download link and no authentication code.






On Jan 7, 3:07 am, mark gross <[email protected]> wrote:
> I wonder how google driver can know what PC I'm syncing from such that they
> can block it.  That sounds like it may not be true that an admin of the
> drive folder can block syncing to a PC.
>
> (BTW even if you have a strong password you better also be using encrypted
> disk's because I'll just pull the drive and slave it to a Linux or even
> windows box and mount it to extract all the data I like.)
>
> Also, google doesn't "own" the configuration or the binary load that goes
> on that stick device.  From an IT security point of view its yet another
> untrusted usb dongle.  Who are you asking to fix what here?  And how could
> it be enforced?
>
> You have an entire root of trust discussion you need to work through to get
> anywhere on this topic.  AFAIK all those stick devices are basically rooted
> hacker toys.  If you are worried about security I would not be using them
> anywhere with a real google account.  Even if I compiled the code myself
> (because  alone I can't test it enough to be confident WRT its security)
>
> This isn't something that can be fixed on the client side IMO.
>
> --mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 6, 2013 at 5:21 PM, chicken <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Hi Mark
>
> > Indeed you can extend this concern to laptops however two things.....
> > One is Google apps chanel allows the administrator to stop local drive
> > sync to pc or mac. There is no ability to block android devices. This
> > is the reason why it's so troubling or put another way the reason
> > Google can justify not giving control to administrators over mobile
> > devices ability to sync drive. Two.. Most enterprises will have their
> > pcs including laptops joined to a ms server domain requiring the
> > windows device to have a complex password. Yes hackable but not easy/
> > fast.
>
> > I've had someone more technical than me look at the stick software. He
> > thinks the issue is the configuration file has the lock screen
> > attribute set to '0'. My amateur solution to Google would be that the
> > device policy checks that the lock screen setting is set to 1
> > otherwise it will not allow any syncing.
>
> > If Google can't do this then they need to give app administrators the
> > power to stop all devices (not just pc and mac) which from syncing
> > drive.
>
> > Toby
>
> > .  On Jan 6, 6:05 pm, mark gross <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > Well, you can extend this FUD storm to any hackable / unlocked device
> > > including laptops.  What you are really asking for is a new type of
> > google
> > > account that is only accessible from devices google or some configured CA
> > > like entity trusts.  Not an unreasonable ask.  Tricky to implement.  Not
> > > just an Android problem.
>
> > > IMO this is a bigger discussion than just android.  If I steal someone's
> > > personal laptop I can do the same things to the victim.
>
> > > However; for the android domain, perhaps a policy engine on the google
> > back
> > > end that works with enterprise clients via widevine cirts would be made
> > to
> > > work.
>
> > > --mark
>
> > > On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM, chicken <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > > As sent to Android Security... I would very much appreciate the
> > > > comments from people here.....
>
> > > > Background
> > > > In addition to Phones and Tablets, a new set of mini-PC Android
> > > > devices have come to market.
> > > > They are the size of USB sticks and have an HDMI port to connect to
> > > > your TV.
> > > > They are normally loaded with Android 4.0 or 4.1 Tablet edition
> > > > Great idea. We want to use in meeting rooms with wireless keyboard/
> > > > mouse to allow user access to Gmail and Drive.
>
> > > > Problem
> > > > Unlike phones and tablets and devices with touchscreens, these sticks
> > > > do NOT force a lock screen EVEN if the Google Device Policy App is
> > > > installed and activated.
> > > > When activating the Policy App, the device asks for a PIN or Password
> > > > and the device syncs with Google and checks the PIN or Password
> > > > entered meets the Apps administrators required security level..
> > > > However after the Account is added and data is sync'ed, the device
> > > > never goes to lock screen. And there is no way to force it to go to
> > > > lock screen. Even after a restart.
> > > > So Google and Apps administrators thinks the device is secure but it
> > > > isnt.
> > > > If the device is lost then the data is entirely open to be read and to
> > > > be deleted.
>
> > > > Urgency
> > > > If the solution to this was simply not to use this type of device then
> > > > I could accept the flaw rests solely with the hardware manufacturers
> > > > However there is nothing a company can do to stop an employee from
> > > > buying a Stick in good faith and complying with the device policy and
> > > > then losing the device only to have their entire dataset deleted.
> > > > The server is saying that the policy is in force. The company is at
> > > > risk at any time and noone knows who has secure access.
> > > > We have gone 100% Google Apps and allowed users to buy phones and
> > > > tablets because we trust that the Device Policy protect us from data
> > > > theft.
> > > > If someone with high level access lost their stick and their Drive was
> > > > deleted, it would be a total disaster for most us and all similar
> > > > Google Cloud businesses.
>
> > > > Conclusion
> > > > In short - there can be no situation ever where a Device Policy can be
> > > > circumvented.
> > > > If the Policy which has been activated and validated requires a PIN or
> > > > Password, then the device must enforce this.
> > > > I think the issue is to do with these devices being non-touchscreen.
> > > > There is nothing to 'swipe to unlock'.
> > > > Android should not be able to be installed on devices without the
> > > > ability to enforce lock screen policies.
>
> > > > Two devices I have tested are Minix Neo G4 and Rikomagic MK802IIIs
>
> > > > Neither of the manufacturers are able to help with this and the
> > > > retailers suggest putting this on forums.
>
> > > > --
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>
> > > --
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>
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