Here is how to allow virtual machines to use USB in VirtualBox.
- Shut down virtual machine
- Make sure Virtual Box is up to date (Menu -> Virtual Box -> Check For Updates)
- Install Extension Pack (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)
- Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller (Settings -> Ports -> USB)
- Plug in USB device
- Add filter to match USB device name
- Press OK to save
- Unplug USB device (unmount if external hard drive or flash drive)
- Plug USB device back in
- If the device does not show up on virtual machine, you may have to create an empty filter to allow all USB devices to pass to the virtual machine
More information about USB in VirtualBox