Computer Cases & Towers

A Secure Flash Drive Can Avert Security Breaches

With the millions of flash drives in use today a secure flash drive is essential for averting breaches of security. The number of security breaches reported has risen almost 50% and is likely to continue to rise. While the secure flash drive has makes data incredibly mobile it also makes it more vulnerable to loss and theft. If you are using less then secure flash drive you might want to look into SanDisk Enterprise. They produce a secure flash drive that features top of the line security including anti-virus software which drastically reduces the chances of uploading a virus to the operating system via a flash drive.

The Secure Flash Drive under Attack

The use of secure flash drive is necessary to prevent attacks on the valuable data they contain. Security software for flash drives is called anti-malware and can stop data corruption. This anti-virus software when part of a secure flash drive prevents the flash drive from playing host to a virus which then may be uploaded to an operating system. McAfee a global security company provides software for SanDisk Enterprise's secure flash drive. It scans the flash drive for potential attacks to the host operating system and quarantines them. The software is so effective it removes the threat of attack before it has an opportunity to access the operating system.

The need to utilize a secure flash drive and provide both front end and back end security is a concern if mobile data is to remain intact. Employees that need mobile data need flash drives that are encrypted for security reasons. An adequately secure flash drive will feature the encryption necessary to protect information from being exploited by unauthorized users. A strong front end defense is a strong password authentication process that can work to avert breaches effectively. This in turn allows data to be transferred and stored with confidence. In order to consider it a secure flash drive it must utilize at least an 8-letter combination
password which has been proven unbreakable.

The Secure Flash Drive and Central Control

A secure flash drive to be truly protected against breaches must be controlled from a central control server. Anything less then this places the flash drive at risk. Recently the US Military was forced to put a ban on the use of flash drives because many personnel were not utilizing a secure flash drive. Once the threat was recognized the only way to get control was to place a ban on the use of all flash drives. Without a secure flash drive controlled from a central server the only way to safeguard the operating system is to put a system wide ban on the use of all flash drives. This situation could have easily been avoided with the flash drive system produced by SanDisk Enterprise.

A secure flash drive also eliminates still another threat that exists and that is in the manner in which data is transferred. A solution for the US Military should have been to implement a secure flash drive for their personnel like the ones produced by SanDisk Enterprise. They use the AES 256-bit encryption to protect data from security breaches. Flash drives that receive or store data that is not encrypted during the transfer process as well as after the transfer is complete are vulnerable to a breach. In the event a secure flash drive transmission is intercepted it is going to be useless because the encryption will prevent access to the data contained in the transfer.

About the Author

Content writer for SanDisk Enterprise

New Flash Drive Embodies a Next Generation in Secure Compact Storage

Systematic Development Group (SDG) was honored with a Best of FOSE Award at this season's FOSE Convention in Washington, D.C.

The convention is a yearly tradeshow featuring the newest innovations in Data Technology aimed at government avenues. Systematic Development Group's cutting edge new LOK-IT Secure Flash Drive was recognized in the Security Hardware division.

LOK-IT was introduced to many conference visitors and based on their outstanding response it would appear LOK-IT is very opportune.

LOK-IT drives are unique as they're the only FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Certified USB memory cards exploiting hardware user authentication via an onboard 10 Key PIN Pad. This eliminates the reliance upon a keyboard and computer to unlock and use the drive.

The necessity for security measures safeguarding stored information hasn't ever been greater but reliance upon software user authentication has made secure drives more complex, rigid and platform dependent. The number and assortment of operating systems used by computers, the expansion of USB ports embedded in office hardware and the advent of USB On-The-Go for tablet Computers and smart phones make LOK-IT operating system independence uniquely OK for these new devices and kit.

The goal in the creation of LOK-IT was to build a 'next generation ' of secure memory cards as easy to use as normal flash cards but includes key security parts today's govt and corporate users demand. That objective seems to have been achieved with the PIN-Pad hardware authentication.

SDG recently launched the LOK-IT Secure Flash Drive and is fast turning into a standard for both corporations and governmental agencies in their attempts to secure lightweight information.

LOK-IT security features include hardware authentication thru onboard PIN-Pad making use of DataLock, approved technology from ClevX, LLC (patents pending); 256-bit AES hardware encryption; and physical protection highlighted by water-proof/dustproof IP57 rated anodized aluminium form and internal epoxy coating. With no PC connection required during authentication, LOK-IT is proof against key-logging spyware "a security issue with other encrypted flash drives.

More can be learned about this exciting new encrypted flash drive with maximum USB protection at the company website.

How do you use a flash drive to connect wirelessly from your router to a laptop?

I can connect to the router already through an ethernet cable. I already set everything up, but the laptop can't be used wirelessly. How can I do this with a flash drive? Is there some type of flash drive I need or will any work?

USB wireless adapters can look exactly like a USB flash drive, but they are not the same thing. There are other types though, such as "PC Card" or internal.

It is possible that your laptop already has an internal wireless adapter that just needs to be set up.

Whatever type of adapter you have (or need) it must match your routers wireless protocol. If you are sure your router is wireless; it could be IEEE 802.11 (aka WiFi) or Bluetooth or possibly even something else. Then you have to figure out the generation. If your adapter is an older generation than your router; it may work, but it will be as slow as the older generation.

If you do need an adapter the cost can vary wildly. For $5 to $10 you can get a no-name, old generation adapter shipped from online. If you want a brand-name, current generation adapter from a retail store it will be more like $50.

Computer Basics : What Is a Flash Drive?