GiliSoft USB Lock 10.4.1

Overview

GiliSoft USB Lock is a powerful DLP (Data Leak Prevention) software that helps you prevent other users from accessing or copying your computer data to devices like USB flash drives, CDs/DVDs, floppy disks, printer, moderm, Bluetooth, and more. Besides allowing you to impede access of such hardwares, it is also capable to block any executable program on your computer and can even restrict access to specific Websites. Moreover, this software is password protected itself; so that no one else is able to open it and change the settings for the blocked devices or programs.

Installation

In the very first step, installer asks you to create a password for accessing the software due to security reasons. You can also give your Email address (it is optional), so that you can retrieve a forgotten password from the mail, if the need be. Next steps are for generic details including setup destination path, Start Menu Folder shortcut (optional), and option to create a desktop icon. In the final step, the installer confirms about restarting the system right away or later on, as it is necessary to do so for the installation to complete. It is compatible with the following operating systems: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 7/ 8.

Interface

The graphical interface of GiliSoft USB Lock is very modern, glossy, and intuitive. Its layout is well designed which makes it unchallenging for all kinds of users to work on this software, irrespective of their technical background. The tabs for locking devices, websites, and programs are listed below ‘Control Center’ in the left pane; below these are two other tabs for General settings like password and security. On selecting any one tab, its corresponding details are shown in the right pane of the window. ‘Help’ file link does not work as nothing happens on clicking it.

Pros

• You can opt to make your USB flash drives read-only and you can even disable reading the drive. It also lets you perform the same actions on CDs and DVDs, so you can disable reading or burning on CDs/DVDs
• It enables you to disable Floppy drive as well as High Capacity Floppy drive on your computer
• If you want to restrict other users of your computer from visiting particular websites, then you can do so with ‘Website Lock’ mode. Simply add the website name in this section and the next time anyone tries to open that website, will see ‘Web page cannot be loaded’ error
• Website Lock can also restrict other users from modifying the system IP and can disable network adapter
• This software is handy in blocking executable programs on your computer which you think should not be accessed by anyone else like your finance manager or tax calculator. In addition, ‘Program Lock’ can also disable Task Manager, Registry Editor, and Remote Desktop Connection
• Don’t want your kids to take printouts unnecessarily? Simply lock your printer with this software. Other devices that can also be disabled are - Moderm, Infrared, COM & LPT, and Bluetooth
• This software itself is password-protected which is a great security measure to prevent users from changing the settings of blocked devices and programs. In case someone has forgotten the password then it can be retrieved by the mail address entered in this software
• There are other security features that it offers like if someone tries to enter wrong password more than 5 times, then the alarm notification is send to the given email address or account login is banned for 10 minutes

Cons

• Although its working is no brain drainer; but someone who wants to read ‘Help’ file is going to be out of luck, as nothing happens on clicking this option
• The system has to be restarted after installation

Alternatives

USB Drive Guard is a DLP (Data Leak Prevention) security solution that network administrators use to centrally control USB drives on the network. It sits silently on a computer and when anyone tries to insert an unauthorized storage device, it automatically ejects the device from the computer. Lock Folder XP is another security tools that can lock files, folders and drives with passwords and protects system data from malicious programs, unauthorized access and intentional harm.

Conclusion

GiliSoft USB Lock promises a lot more than its name has to suggest; as it protects different devices ranging from USB drives to printers, plus programs and websites that you don’t want to be accessed without your permission. It performs all of its functions quite speedily without putting heavy loads on the processor or slowing down the system’s performance. This software is worth trying (and even buying!) and we highly recommend it to all the users who want to prevent data leakage from their systems.