Wired [2] reports that the U.S. drone fleet has been infected with a virus that includes a keylogger function. The virus has spread both in unclassified and classified systems. The keylogger logs all keystrokes in the pilot’s cockpits as they fly missions over Afghanistan and other war zones.

The virus has bridged the air gap normally separating the unclassified and classified systems. A movable media, e.g. USB sticks, is probably the cause of which the virus can infect both systems.

According to Wired's sources the military network specialists has so far been unable to extinguish the virus as it keeps coming back. The Air Force declined to comment directly on the virus.

The virus attack shows how even organisations with rigorous security and IT-policies can become victims in the USB security nightmare. This is a risk many organizations are taking when using USB-sticks and even with encrypted USB sticks. When you are using an encrypted USB stick you are also encrypting the virus, so total erasure of the stick before use is a reliable solution. It is crucial when using USB sticks in protected systems, and in every system for that matter, that you must be sure that you don't spread the virus.

With SecuriRAM it is easier to trace the virus due to the fact that it can be totally erased after each usage. You will not move the virus back and forth between systems as you do with traditional USB sticks. So a SecuriRAM together with white listing of approved USB units will provide a better security.