Multiple WD Devices on same computer - SmartWare conflict/security issue?

WD Software WD Software
1

I’m having a weird issue and I’m not sure whether this is something wrong in my configuration or a potential security issue.

I have 2 different physical WD My Passport units (but identical P/N, etc.) and I’ve setup the SW software to backup the computer drives not using categories but with manual folder selection. I’m using one of the devices to backup the computer and the second with a different purpose, so everything is good up to the point that I’ve realized that plugging the second drive on the computer kicks the SW agent to backup things to this second device.

My concern is whether a device that is not mine in the case it would be connected to my computer (for whatever reason) it will start copying my files to the foreign drive…I’ve tested it and obviosusly it happened since is the same thing that owning more than one device.

My question is whether or not I could “bind” SW to a specific and exclusive physical WD Disk to make sure that plugging other/foreign devices will not start copying and “silently stealing” information (and brokening also the journal of backups since starts copying changes from last backup)

Thanks!

2

There is not a setting on the software that will make a compatible drive invisible to it.

There are some alternatives you can try:

  • Stop the backup when connecting the other drive
  • Make sure to have the latest version of the software
  • Try changing the drives name and drive letter
3

Thanks John for your proposed alternatives, definitely stopping the backup would be the unique meaningful from my point of view but not “friendly nor transparent”, in any case I’m still very worried about the way SW works.

For me is unacceptable to assume a potential risk like this. If a peer (yes, we are using these as personal devices but at an enterprise level) connects his drive to my computer for transferring information or whatever is simply unacceptable that at the same time my information would be silently copied in the backgroun into his device.

It should be quite simple to implement sort of manifest file, backup catalog, etc. on the device that configures the initial backup to ensure that files are backed up only to the appropiate device when is connected and not to potentially any other WD device…

Thanks

4

Remember that this is only assumptions and does not have to happen if you connect a different drive.

So far you have seen this issue when you connect two similar drives with the same specs and same model number.

Feel free to test with other drives if you want.

You can also contact our support department for a more thorough troubleshooting of this scenario.