USB for spies who like their lattes hot

Finally, a storage device we can use while snorkling and hiking up volcanoes.

(Credit: Kingston Technologies)

This week, Kingston Technology released a new line of waterproof and temperature-resistant USB 2.0 flash drives with hardware encryption capability. The titanium-coated stainless steel DataTraveler Secure is available immediately in capacities of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB and ranging in price from $40 to $244. The device's 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) hardware-based encryption does not require additional software in order for authorized users to encrypt and decrypt information stored on the device.

For the James Bond or Lara Croft in your life recently returning from Siberia, there is the DataTraveler Secure--Privacy Edition available this January 2007. This USB drive is made to meet "specific enterprise-level security and compliance requirements," according to Kingston. It includes a special password protocol that locks out the Goldfinger-types after 10 failed password attempts.

Both versions adhere to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60529 IPX8 standard, good for up to 4 feet of submersion underwater and able to withstand storage between 185 degrees and -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you don't regularly have a need to protect secrets regarding industrial espionage or the cradle of life, it's still cool to have a USB drive that you don't have to worry about dropping in your coffee.