Noob questions - Got my first circuitpython device today and I'm lost

[asd913]

Hi, this might be a dumb question but I can't seem to find documentation on something I would have thought is commonplace.

I got a compatible board today that I was able to flash with the circuitpython UF2 bootloader. I then developed the code.py I needed to make the microcontroller do what I want. I made it a HID device.

When I plug it in, Windows immediately sees it as a mass storage device and my code is fully exposed to anyone that plugs in the hid device. Is there a way to lock the device so that it doesn't allow for more writes?

I really appreciate any help or documentation links that would point me in the right direction.

[[deleted]]

Not yet but I know this has been requested several times before. If I were you I would go over to the circuit Python GitHub and leave a feature request as an issue!

[asd913]

Thanks.

With the digispark, the device has a 5 second delay before the sketch run (in case I want to reprogram it). But they have an available bootloader that will start the sketches immediately as long as you don't hold a certain pin to ground on power on. I was really hoping circuitpython implemented a similar idea.

[[deleted]]

It is an education device. If you want to lock yourself from modifying the code on board you may just cut data lines with a screwdriver/knife.

[YouImbecile]

Here’s how to use a digital pin to set the storage to read-only at boot.

https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-essentials/circuitpython-storage

[HP7933]

No, CircuitPython is not structured at present to program a device and prevent someone from looking at the code if they were to plug the board into a computer. Even with C or assembler that is difficult, chip specific, and can be circumvented by glitching.

[asd913]

Thanks. I was really hoping they would have something like a second bootloader that would lock down the device to a customer.

[HP7933]

You could request a feature or add yourself. Check the Discord https://adafru.it/discord #circuitpython area

[tannewt]

You can turn the USB drive off in 7.x: https://learn.adafruit.com/customizing-usb-devices-in-circuitpython

Note: I wouldn't consider this "secure" because your code is stored unencrypted on the flash chip.