EasySafe vows to double security
(Credit: Crave Asia)Information security, or lack of, may have been actor Edison Chen's downfall when his bedroom antics hit the Internet circuit. But for companies dealing in data security tools, it's been one satisfying ride (pun intended) since it's exposed a vulnerable issue that strikes fear into the hearts of PC users, not to mention Edison's lower extremities.
In the worst-case scenario, failure to secure your personal or critical information on your computer can result in serious fallout not only for yourself, but involved parties, as we've witnessed in a very public way. While companies know it's plain good business to safeguard their sensitive data, the Average Joe is less primed against data theft or loss. So EasySafe has been, as its name implies, attempting to make it easy and safe for the home user. Its computer data security USB key has been upgraded with drivers to allow the user the option to duplicate file security onto a second key, since this sells in a dual set, or pass the other key to a trusted party.
<--more-->While this isn't the most elegant hardware encryption tool in the market, usage is almost idiot-proof. You install the software driver one time, insert the key into a USB port, and a a pop-up box will prompt you to create a virtual drive, how big a storage capacity you want, and where the drive will sit. The information stored in the drive is secured using a military-standard encryption algorithm (3DES, AES) and PIN protection built into the device.
Pulling out the key causes the virtual drive(s) to be hidden, although there's still a trail left behind if you happen to specify the PC as your destination. When we combed through our computer, we found the root file within the C drive. So while the virtual drive is inaccessible without the USB key, this won't stop the most determined hacker once he's clued in to the EasySafe.sdf file which is a dead giveaway.
For the truly paranoid, we'd suggest setting up the virtual drive on an external storage such as a USB thumb drive, portable HD, or flash media card. While it's more tedious managing your data from different sources, at least your sensitive data won't be residing on the laptop. Plus the EasySafe.sdf file now outside of the PC.
The water-resistant easySafe is now retailing in Europe, Malaysia and Singapore at S$99 ($71.40) a pair. We'd have liked the drivers (which come on an installation CD) to be pre-loaded on the drive for a more convenient setup, and Singapore developer Fast and Safe Technology is at least addressing the issue of a cap in a later edition.
EasySafe is compatible with only Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. So ironically, poor Edison's Mac laptop will still have to get its data security remedy elsewhere.
(Source: Crave Asia)
