Recently the head of marketing for SanDisk, Dror Todress, made a claim where “there are endless examples of data breaches…” then immediately sites an example of a stolen US Army UFD (USB Flash Drive) being purchased from a reporter just 200 yards from an army base in Afghanistan.

Todress goes on to explain most IT managers understand and are aware of such security risks and most employees who bring in USB drives or MP3 players with mass storage capability do not have malicious intentions. However, this doesn’t mean valuable information IS leaving the building.

Considering between 80% - 90% of UFDs do not have encryption software, I thought to browse back through my USB Security category and list out a couple articles which could be of help.

USB lock - a physical blocking of USB port

Free open-source USB encryption software - TrueCrypt

Visual password protector

Disable writing to USB drives on Windows systems

IT management software to control USB endpoints

SanDisk’s answer

Windows Vista locks out USB (actually I don’t think it ever worked)

Wireless PC lock from USB dongle

Another PC port blocking software package

There are a host of other USB devices with security features in my USB security category, but those are device specific not network specific.

Silicon Systems introduces their new USB Blade SiliconDrive, an ultra slim, ultra small USB drive designed for embedded applications.

Although it’s not the first embedded USB drive we’ve seen, it does have the smallest foot print.

Silicon Systems put the USB Blade out for those seeking additional storage where space is a big concern. Designed for shock, vibration and temperature changes the USB Blade does aid in the embedded applications market.

At the size no bigger than a postage stamp, the USB Blade includes Silicon Systems PowerArmor, SiSMART and (more…)

The UPEK Eikon Digital Privacy Manager now supports Mac. But those PC guys didn’t make it that easy - you still need to download the Windows version than download the Mac version for a working “preview” version.

The Eikon USB finger scanners allows log-in during power-up, after awaking from sleep and can be further configured at the admin level settings. The UPEK offers all this from the swipe of a finger.

The PC version of the Eikon Digital Privacy Manager started shipping earlier this year for $39.99 with the current Mac version available as beta with full suite to follow.

Is that a PC in the background… Interested?

Japanese gaming company, Bandai is looking to make the world a safer place. Web surfing can offer a lot of unwanted information to children and expose them to content even the worst parent wouldn’t want them to see.

Bandai created a USB security key to safeguard children while surfing the net. The USB Key automatically logs on with a “kids mode” interface. This allows the kids to surf sites like Yahoo! where it logs only to the kids games section.

Additionally the Bandai key links to recommended or modified kid-friendly only sites. There is a “the toy box mode” as well. In this mode the children can experience playing games in a very different way. There is a message function that allows the children to communicate with their parents on the net.

Bandai did some market research and found about 70% of children internet users are between the 4th and 5th grade. Bandai should have done some more research to realize the kid friendly Mickey Mouse and Poo design is too young…should have gone with Transformers or Ninja Turtles (yes their making a come back!)

Source: New Launches.com

I’m not a Mac guy, but I can spot a [good] nugget of info when I see it. The Keychain utility on a Mac is designed to safeguard your important passwords, credentials, log-in info, and all those financial records.

So how can you maximize your Keychain security - well at Nevali.net they marry up the Mac Keychain and USB drive for some good-ol-fashion USB security where even the most paranoid can sleep well at night.

If interested, make the jump.

Photo courtesy of Jaron Brass.

Proporta is calling out a challenge. Try and lose your keys while clipped to their all new, world’s smallest GPS Keychain.

The Freedom Keychain GPS receiver is ideal for connecting to your…wait for it…keychain, notebook, PDA or mobile phone.

The Freedom GPS Keychain works will all popular mapping software such as Google maps and you can hone in via 20 satellite channel connection.

The tracking device is powered by Lithium Polymer batteries battery and working time is rated at 9 continuous hours.

USB charger cable and car charger are provided with the package. At $180 it’s a mighty expensive GPS keychain , but a priceless GPS tracker for your laptop.

Freedom GPS Keychain product page.

It’s no secret Corsair has a ten number push button padlock for their USB flash drive, the Corsair Flash Padlock. It’s also no secret our good friends over at Gizmos for Geeks are security fanatics - Doug prides himself on having the lowdown on the lockdown.

Looking at the picture it’s very obvious what this drive is all about. In addition to any software security loaded on the drive the Flash Padlock includes a physical pin number to be associated with the drive. What I like about this drive is without the correct pin entered, Windows doesn’t even see the drive upon USB connection.

The idea behind this drive is dual authentication. 1) Something you know (PIN) and 2) Something you have (the USB drive). (The ID Vault is another product which works much the same way)

Tip: Might not want to use the same PIN number as your ATM card/machine.

Source: Gizmos for Geeks