Safeguard Data with Secure USB Drives
High-tech gadgets evolve quickly from unique and expensive "gee-whiz" wonders to common "ho-hum" bargain-priced devices. When first introduced, USB drives, which are thumb-sized data storage devices that plug into Universal Serial Bus sockets, had limited capacity, were slow and expensive, and gave bragging rights to geeks. Now USB drives provide large-capacity storage capability, can be accessed as fast as internal hard drives, and are a common-place and handy way to move or share data.
As convenient as these drives are, there are risks to using them. While they can easily move files between home and other computers, they're also easy to forget or lose, may break, and can generally be read by anyone who finds them. To avoid putting all your data eggs into only one storage basket, always back up files stored on a USB drive to an alternate location or device, and you may also want to consider ways to protect its data from being accessed by someone other than yourself.
Lexar offers an assortment of protected USB drives. The JumpDrive Secure drive comes with a good manual and can be partitioned into variable-sized public and private areas, with the latter being password protected. It can also be set to run a user-specified application when opened. Closing the private area was slightly awkward, requiring that the drive's utility application and Windows Explorer both be closed before the device could be removed. The drive can also be set to prevent access to it after a specified idle period. While the device Help file is skimpy, online chat support is available 24x7.
Sadly, the protection mechanism for the JumpDrive Secure drive has supposedly been cracked. Although this shouldn't matter for most people, it does present a risk. Lexar's new JumpDrive Secure II includes updated encryption and password facilities, and a "data shredder" to securely delete files. Both drives are available in 1GB capacities.
If you already can't remember all the passwords in your life without having to record them somewhere, you can use biometric protection, which relies on physical characteristics such as fingerprints. The risk of such a device not recognizing your fingerprint is minimal.
Kanguru offers a USB drive called the Bio Drive, a sleek gadget with a built-in fingerprint reader with available capacities from 256MB to 2GB. It also allows you to use a backup password in case a legitimate finger is denied access. It usually recognized my finger on the first try, although once I had to scan it repeatedly.
The Bio Drive offers elegant installation and configuration, although this was hindered somewhat by the device serial number being masked as I entered it during the installation process, and I wasn't clearly informed that that letters must be entered as capitals. This USB drive automatically closes its application and Windows Explorer when removed. You should, however, still click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon that appears in the lower right-hand system tray when external drives are detected and follow the instructions to safely disengage the drive.
Windows XP supports both drives natively. Drivers for Windows 98 and 98 SE are available on a CD that comes with the Kanguru USB drive and can be downloaded from Lexar's Web site. Both drives come with required software stored on it, and it's wise to back it up. Without the software, the drives will store and release unprotected files but won't allow access to secure storage areas. Also note that USB 2.0 drives only perform well if your computer is compatible with that version, and you should also verify that the USB drive fits your computer's USB socket.
Finally, remember that anything valuable is somewhat at risk, and some attacks succeed. So USB drive protections will safeguard data from prying eyes and casual poking but may be vulnerable to highly skilled penetrations.
Specifications
Product: JumpDrive Secure 256MB
Product: JumpDrive Secure II
Manufacturer: Lexar
Price: $39.99
URL: Where to Buy
Product: Bio Drive 256MB
Manufacturer: Kanguru
Price: $99.95
URL: Where to Buy
AARP does not recommend or endorse any of these products or web sites. Please be advised that there are other similar products and web sites available which were not reviewed and are not listed here.
