Gadget Review: datAshur secure USB flash drive

Security is a big issue these days. There’s not a week goes by that we don’t read about how a disk, file, flashdrive, or laptop containing important personal data was left on a train containing the personal details of members of the public.

A study in 2009 showed that a staggering 4,500 flash drives were found at launderettes in the UK alone after being left in various pockets. Who knows who’s had access to your precious information?

That’s why iStorage are looking to help us breathe a little easier with their new datAshur USB drive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve all lost flash drives in the past,” says John Michael, Managing Director of iStorage UK. “If you leave a drive lying around, anyone can pick it up and access your information. The solution is that if you’re using a flash drive, make sure it’s encrypted. That’s why we set out to create a secure drive that keeps your data from falling into the wrong hands.

With packaging that boasts of the ultimate secure storage device, the datAshur USB drive is armed with a range of security features to protect your data.

Even the casing is heavy duty - a protective hardshell aluminium sleeve comes off to reveal a keypad to enter your security code, which you can set to whatever you like between 7 and 15 digits. Relying on the on-board keypad rather than your computer keyboard for the code means that any key-logging malware on your machine will not be able to access your password.

And even if you make the mistake of just leaving it lying around, the datAshur locks itself automatically after being removed from the computer. It’s a pretty clever little device which has more than a few tricks up its sleeve when trying to stop your data falling into the wrong hands.

As well as a military grade hardware encryption, the datAshur even has a defence mechanism in the event of someone attempting to tamper with it.

“The datAshur is both tamper evident and tamper proof,” adds John Michael. “Tamper evident means that if someone were to attempt to break open the device that it’s built in such a way that you would be able to tell they had tried.

“The datAshur is also tamper proof because the components inside drive are coated with an epoxy resin. If any attempt is made to gain access to the vital components inside by removing the epoxy, the components will be destroyed rendering the drive useless to the would-be thief.

“Even a brute force attack by a sophisticated hacking programme would fail as the datAshur does not use software passwords but rather requires the PIN to be entered directly on to the on-board keypad on the drive itself. After 10 consecutive incorrect PIN attempts, the datAshur shuts down, the encryption key and all data on the drive are erased which prevents it from being compromised.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While the datAshur undoubtedly has great scope for use in the business market or workplace, it could certainly benefit the average computer user to know that their records are safe.

Whether you’re a company who wants to ensure the safety of customers’ details, or just an individual user who wants to protect themselves against identity theft, the datAshur certainly has enough security features to put your mind at rest.

The cost may be a little higher than your average flash drive, but what price would you put on peace of mind in the knowledge that your data is are secure?

• The datAshur by iStorage is available in 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB capacity. For more information, including retailers, go to www.istorage-uk.com/