If you have this popular external hard drive, your files may be at risk. What to do

RTO · 06-25-2021, 02:34 PM

Users of some Western Digital external hard drive devices are losing their files due to unexplained system compromises.

Western Digital has addressed the concerns brought up by many of the My Book Live device users, including some who wrote in a community forum that they had lost years worth of data.

The company says the compromise was due to an “exploitation of a remote command execution vulnerability” but did not elaborate. It advises users to disconnect the My Book Live and My Book Live Duo devices from the internet to help protect their data.

“We understand that our customers’ data is very important,” Western Digital wrote Thursday. “We are actively investigating the issue and will provide an updated advisory when we have more information.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/popular-e...170204115.html

I have used WD data drives and backup drives for many years without problems. Currently I use a WD Passport backup drive which isn't mentioned but the data on it checks out good.

If any of you are using the WD My Book Live devices it may be a good idea to check them for lost data and unplug them from your computer until doing backups.

aviator · 06-25-2021, 02:49 PM

I use one on my network, hooked up into an access point. But it's a WD My Cloud, I wonder if it's affected. I can't see how anyone outside my network can get into it though.

RTO · 06-25-2021, 02:59 PM

I doubt if it affects the cloud storage, just the external backup drives.

aviator · 06-25-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTO

I doubt if it affects the cloud storage, just the external backup drives.

It is a 4Ter drive but they call it a cloud. I can dump and retrieve stuff from it but it's mine private and a physical drive which hooks up to the network. I have an area, my wife has hers and my daughter has hers, then there is a public area for photos. At least that's how I set it up. I can be at my real office and dump files in it or from my cell phone.

RTO · 06-25-2021, 04:41 PM

Got it. I'd keep an eye on it to watch for anything suspicious.

Czubek · 06-25-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTO

Got it. I'd keep an eye on it to watch for anything suspicious.

Oh you bet! I keep mine unplugged when I'm not using it, which is more than I'd like. Mine is a WD, but I forget which one.

Brian

06-25-2021, 02:34 PM	#1
RTO Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Flarda Posts: 29,564	If you have this popular external hard drive, your files may be at risk. What to do Users of some Western Digital external hard drive devices are losing their files due to unexplained system compromises. Western Digital has addressed the concerns brought up by many of the My Book Live device users, including some who wrote in a community forum that they had lost years worth of data. The company says the compromise was due to an “exploitation of a remote command execution vulnerability” but did not elaborate. It advises users to disconnect the My Book Live and My Book Live Duo devices from the internet to help protect their data. “We understand that our customers’ data is very important,” Western Digital wrote Thursday. “We are actively investigating the issue and will provide an updated advisory when we have more information.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/popular-e...170204115.html I have used WD data drives and backup drives for many years without problems. Currently I use a WD Passport backup drive which isn't mentioned but the data on it checks out good. If any of you are using the WD My Book Live devices it may be a good idea to check them for lost data and unplug them from your computer until doing backups. __________________ 3 Make America Like Florida

06-25-2021, 02:49 PM	#2
aviator unum de multis Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bunker's Headquarters. Posts: 52,383	I use one on my network, hooked up into an access point. But it's a WD My Cloud, I wonder if it's affected. I can't see how anyone outside my network can get into it though. __________________ "Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." Pesident Ronald Reagan

06-25-2021, 02:59 PM	#3
RTO Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Flarda Posts: 29,564	I doubt if it affects the cloud storage, just the external backup drives.

06-25-2021, 04:41 PM	#5
RTO Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Flarda Posts: 29,564	Got it. I'd keep an eye on it to watch for anything suspicious.