Here is our review of the DatAshur Personal 2 USB Drive from iStorage.
The iStorage datAshur Personal2 is the world’s most secure, easy to use and affordable USB 3.0 flash drive, employing PIN code access with military grade XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption. The datAshur Personal2 incorporates a rechargeable battery allowing the user to enter a 7-15 digit PIN onto the on-board keypad before connecting the drive to the USB port.
All data transferred to the datAshur Personal2 is encrypted in real-time with the built in hardware encryption engine and is protected from unauthorised access even if your datAshur Personal2 is lost or stolen. The datAshur Personal2 automatically locks when unplugged from the host computer or power to the USB port is turned off and can be set to timeout (lock) after a predetermined amount of time.
Specification
- USB 3.0 Flash Drive
- Capacities up to 64GB
- FIPS PUB 197 certified
- Bootable drive
- XTS-AES 256- bit hardware encryption – no software required
- OS & Platform independent
Who are iStorage?
From their website:
iStorage is the trusted global leader of PIN authenticated, hardware encrypted data storage devices, that include: USB Flash Drives, Hard Disk Drives, and Solid State Drive formats. We deliver the most innovative products to securely store and protect data to Military specified encryption levels, safeguarding your valuable business information whilst ensuring compliance to regulations and directives.
The iStorage range of products are accredited across the range, include FIPS 197 (Advanced Encryption Standard, Computer Security Standard, Cryptography), FIPS 140-2 Level 2 (Tamper Evident, and seals), FIPS 140-2 Level 3 (Responding to attempts of a Physical attack), IP57 (Protected from limited dust ingress and water immersion up to 1M), CESG (National Technical Authority for Information Assurance), CCTM (Claims Tested Mark).
What’s in the box?
The box contains the drive and a quick start guide.
A Closer Look
You can even add laser etched text or a logo if you want to personalise the drive, something that could be very useful if you wanted to brand them for your company.
Using the Drive
When you want to use the drive, you press the Key button and wait for the locked padlock LED to be right, as shown below.
Then you press the buttons that correspond to the PIN number (within 10 seconds) and if that is successful the green unlocked LED will light up.
You then have 30 seconds to plug the drive into your computer.
Once connected the blue LED under the key button will light up and you are ready to use the drive.
Final Thoughts
The DatAshur is the same size as an average USB drive, with the only different being the front panel with the keypad and LEDs.
Using the drive is very simple – just enter your code and the drive is ready to use. When you have finished with the drive just remove it and it locks automatically.
One nice feature is the ability to have an Admin code on the drive, so if you forget your code you can use that one to gain access.
You may be wondering why the drive has a keypad and why you wouldn’t just use the keyboard on your computer to unlock the drive. It’s to stop keyloggers and brute force attacks from gaining access to the drive.
If you enter your code incorrectly 10 times in a row (for example if someone else is trying to guess your code) the user code is deleted. The only way to access the drive is to use the Admin code and reset the user code. If the Admin code is then entered incorrectly 10 times in a row that too is deleted and this time all the data on the drive is also deleted thus protecting whatever you stored on it, so you should feel safe in the knowledge that whatever happens your data is safe and secure.
If you need an encrypted portable USB drive then you might want to take a look at the DatAshur Personal 2 USB Drive from iStorage – frankly its a no brainer.
Available now in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, with prices starting at £39.
You can learn more about iStorage and their product range here.
