When you lose an USB flash drive, what makes you worry is probably the data stored on the drive. The contents of the drive are priceless for some, depending on how they use the flash drive. There are two ways to secure the drive. One is to buy a flash drive with built-in security mechanism and the other is to use software to encrypt the content of the drive.

USB Flash Drives with Security Mechanism

• SanDisk 4GB Cruzer Micro USB Flash Drive with U3 This drive is getting excellent reviews. It features include:
  1. 4 GB capacity
  2. Retractable USB connector
  3. Brilliant amber LED
  4. U3 smart enabled
  5. Loaded with the following U3 programs: CruzerSync synchronization software, SignupShield password manager, SKYPE, and AVAST antivirus software
  6. Dimensions: 7.94mm x 20.6mm x 57.15mm (D x W x L)
  7. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified (backwards compatible with all USB 1.1 ports)
  8. Compatible with Windows 2000, SP4 and XP

  Even though the amazon site says “U3 functionality only supported on Windows 2000 (SP4 and later) & XP,” one reviewer says it works with Vista. It is very affordable as amazon.com sells it for $12.49.

• IronKey 4 GB Secure Hardware-Encrypted USB 2.0 Flash Drive This drive seems to be the one that’s built for security. It uses a hardware encrypted, military grade encryption to protect the data. The reviews are pretty good and the only drawback I see is it price, $127.47.
• Secure USB Memory Device by Fujitsu
  This is a new product developed by Fujitsu and I’m not sure if it’s in the market yet. According to the press release by Fujitsu on April 17, 2009,

  Fujitsu Laboratories Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Inc. today announced the development of two new technologies designed to prevent the unwanted disclosure of data from lost universal serial bus (USB) memory devices and prevent uploads to file-sharing networks: a USB memory device technology that after a fixed period of time automatically erases data stored on the USB memory, and a file redirect technology⁽¹⁾ which ensures that the data from the USB memory device can only be stored on a specified server. This creates a secure environment that protects confidential information and allows USB memory devices to be used as a convenient way to safely carry customer data back to one’s own company to manage the data.

  This sounds neat. This may not be for home/casual users but I can see that the corporate IT department may be interested in the product.

  • Encryption Software
    • TrueCrypt TrueCrypt is open source software that is popular to secure USB drives. It offers various encryption methods as you can see from this photo.