How to Auto‑Copy USB Files with Python When the Drive Is Inserted
This guide explains how to silently monitor USB insertions on a computer, automatically copy the drive’s contents to a local folder or server using a Python script that periodically scans the /Volumes directory and triggers file transfer without the user noticing.
Preface: I was annoyed by a colleague who constantly hides a USB drive and plugs it into computers whenever he sleeps, and I wanted a way to see what he stores without directly taking or tricking him, which would embarrass me as a Python developer.
Idea: When a USB is inserted, automatically copy its contents to the local machine or upload them to a server using a Python script running in the background.
Detecting USB insertion: Open the terminal, navigate to the /Volumes directory. When a USB is plugged in, it appears as a new folder under /Volumes. By continuously monitoring this directory, the script can detect when a new folder shows up, indicating a USB insertion.
Implementation: Use time.sleep(3) to keep the program running and scan the /Volumes directory every three seconds. When a new folder is detected, immediately copy its contents to another folder (or upload them).
Result: The USB contents are fully copied to the home directory within about 30 seconds after insertion.
Note: This is the extent of the demonstration.
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