USB Memory key for PGP keyring 5

[davq]

This seems to be a great place to maybe get an answer to my question. I just bought the 8MB Memory key and I love it. I keep all my passwords and private data on the key and the fact that the key doesnt look like a storage device to the normal person is almost perfect camouflage.

Is there a utility out there that I can install on the key itself that prompts for a password before allowing someone to see the contents of the volume? It would need to be on the key so it would prompt no matter what device it were plugged into.

 

[chiph]

I don't know of a utility that would do that (in the Windows world, anyway), as when you plug it in, Windows mounts it as a normal drive. Any sort of password protection would have to be in the specific DiskOnKey driver, as the other (higher-level drivers) are shared between other USB memory drive devices (and scanners, and ZIP drives, etc).

You could always encrypt the files, but then you run into problems of where to store the keys for the encryption program...

Or maybe you could write a couple of small C programs that manage access to the files. When you run program "A" it decrypts the files for you. You then make changes. You then run program "B" to re-encrypt the files and wipe the cleartext files. Again, you have to secure access to these programs, and if you hard-code a password into the program, someone can find it.

I think being able to keep it in your pocket is probably good-enough protection.

On another note, I haven't tried to take it through airport security since Sept. 11th. Anyone have any problems?

Chip H.

 

[Hokey]

JMTek's Flash USBDrive comes with the software to encrypt all files on the "drive" and lock them with a password.

 

[Guest_imported]

Caveat Emptor guys ...
The big FYI on these is that only the IBM (USB Memory Key) can be used without pre-loading software on every machine you want to use it on (and its only 8 MB for $45).
Both the USB drive and Q USB Hard Drive (a mismomer from agatetech) need the software pre-loaded. That means carrying the CD with you when you travel or downloading the driver from the manufacturer (and the USBdrive file is zipped).
The USBdrive is priced about half as much as the Q USB Hard Drive, but the Q USB Hard Drive works on Macs also (and its cuter - but that marketing)!
Jerry
PS - you've got a great group of postings.

 

[chiph]

jrpjunior -

Have you tried the other USB memory "drives" under Windows XP? Maybe the manufacturer got Microsoft to include their drivers in the distribution.

Chip H.

 

[slowram]

You can get this direct from the manufacturer (get about twice the storage for the same price)

http://www.diskonkey.com/where.asp?section=6

 

[Guest_imported]

Does the IBM 8Mb USB Key work on Mac OS 9.1 ?
I want to use it to transfer files between a G4 and PC.

 

[Guest_imported]

To DavQ/Hokey: actually, the older PGP 6i contained an utility called PGPDISK that creates a file that it is then mounted only after you enter your PGP decryption key.

We will check in early January if it works under Linux Suse 7.2 and Mac using an IBM Memory USB.

 

[chiph]

Afriwander -
Please see my post in this thread from Aug 27th.

Chip H.

 

[Guest_imported]

i just picked one up and am going to use it instead of floppy disk's. its a little larger than i though but all in all a good unit. i opend the box walked over to my computer, pluged it in and was good to go (g4 mac os9) then walked upstairs and tried it on the pc(xP) again no problems. i would also be interested in some security measures for this. give me a shout if you come up with anything
Dxpert

 

[Liesa]

Check out the clearance corner at IBM's site. You will find this 8mb key for $25.00 plus tax and shipping