Gilisoft USB Lock

What is included in Gilisoft USB Lock?

Block USB drives – Stop reading or writing on unknown drives.
Whitelist trusted devices – Allow only approved company USB sticks.
Lock more channels – Block CD/DVD, phones, tethering, Bluetooth, ports.
Activity logs – Record device access, denials, and file events.
Performance Metric – Three control modes plus time-limited access.
Important – No central console; Windows only, not macOS.

What are the main benefits of Gilisoft USB Lock?

Gilisoft USB Lock is a Windows endpoint tool that controls which USB and removable devices may read or write data on a PC. It is built to stop data leaks and unauthorized copying on shared office, lab, and front-desk computers.

Stop data leaks – Block copying sensitive files to USB.
Keep work running – Approved drives stay usable for staff.
Block malware imports – Stop infected USB sticks reaching systems.
Audit every device – See who connected what and when.
Tamper resistant – Password and hidden mode prevent removal.
Flexible permissions – Grant temporary, time-limited access when needed.

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What does Gilisoft USB Lock do?

Gilisoft USB Lock decides which USB and removable devices are allowed to read or write data on a Windows PC. By default it blocks all USB and SD drives, and only devices added to the trusted-device whitelist can connect. The same policy screen also controls CD/DVD burners, card readers, printers, COM/LPT, Bluetooth, infrared, and 1394 ports, and it can stop Android and iPhone data transfer as well as USB tethering. Every allowed or denied access is written to an activity log, so you can review later who plugged in what. That makes it practical for front-desk, lab, and shared office machines where you cannot watch every port yourself.

Does Gilisoft USB Lock encrypt the data on a USB drive?

No. Gilisoft USB Lock controls access to ports and devices, but it does not encrypt the files on a USB drive. If an approved drive is later used on another computer without USB Lock installed, its contents are still readable. For an encrypted, password-protected area on the drive itself, GiliSoft sells a separate tool, USB Encryption, which is the product to pair with USB Lock when files must stay protected off-site. Treat USB Lock as a device-control and copy-prevention layer, not as encryption.

Can it block phones and tethering, not just flash drives?

Yes. Beyond USB and SD storage, Gilisoft USB Lock can disable Android and iPhone data transfer over USB and block USB tethering, which stops staff from using a phone's hotspot to reach the internet on a controlled PC. It also restricts CD/DVD and Blu-ray drives, including making a burner read-only, plus card readers, printers, modems, COM/LPT, infrared, Bluetooth, and 1394 connections. This wider coverage matters when the leak risk is not only flash drives but also phones and disc burning. You can apply these blocks selectively instead of disabling everything at once.

How is Gilisoft USB Lock different from USB Encryption and File Lock Pro?

These are three separate GiliSoft tools that solve different problems, so it is worth picking the right one. USB Lock is for device control: blocking, whitelisting, and logging removable media on a PC. USB Encryption creates a password-protected encrypted area on the USB drive itself, which travels with the drive. File Lock Pro locks, hides, and password-protects local and shared folders rather than managing ports. If you only need to stop unknown USB sticks and audit access, USB Lock is the correct pick; the table below shows where each tool fits.

Can approved USB drives still work while others are blocked?

Yes. You add specific drives to the trusted-device whitelist, and from then on every other USB drive is blocked while approved company drives keep working normally. USB Lock also offers three control modes — read-block, write-block, and full read-write block — so you can, for example, let staff copy data onto a drive but not read from it. For one-off needs it can grant temporary, time-limited access, such as one hour or 24 hours, that expires automatically. Whitelists can be exported and reused, which saves setting up each machine from scratch.

What should users check before choosing Gilisoft USB Lock?

Check three things. First, USB Lock runs on Windows only — there is no macOS or Linux version, so a mixed-platform fleet needs another solution for non-Windows machines. Second, it is configured per computer and has no central management server, so policy is set on each endpoint individually rather than pushed from one console. Third, it controls and blocks devices but does not encrypt drive contents, so confidential files leaving the building still need USB Encryption. If those limits fit your setup, the password and hidden-mode protection make it hard for users to switch off.

Frequently asked questions about Gilisoft USB Lock

What happens if someone enters the wrong password too many times?

After five incorrect password attempts, Gilisoft USB Lock sends an alert to your pre-defined email address and temporarily bans the login for about ten minutes. This slows down anyone trying to guess the password on an unattended machine.

Can Gilisoft USB Lock be hidden or uninstalled without the password?

No. The program can run in an invisible mode, and it cannot be uninstalled or have its settings changed without the password. Its own configuration is encrypted to stop users from tampering with the protection rules.

How can I recover the password if I forget it?

During setup you enter a recovery email address, which is used to retrieve a forgotten password. The program will not start without the password, so it specifically warns you to keep both the password and a valid email on record.