As USB drives become smaller and more prevalent, the chance that these drives may get lost becomes greater. While it is great to be able to carry important data portably, what happens to this information if the drive it resides on disappears?
Kingstons DataTraveler Secure line helps assuage these concerns. Using a 256 AES Hardware Based Encryption, these drives can be password locked down for ultimate protection. Today, we will look at the Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive. This drive provides physical protection, as well as data protection and is waterproof to boot.
Lets get started
Review: Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Sponsor: Kingston
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive
Features/Specifications:
-Capacities – 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
-Secure – utilizes 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) hardware-based encryption (privacy zone)
-Dimensions – 3.06" x 0.9" x 0.47" (77.9 mm x 22.2 mm x 12.05 mm)
-Operating temperatures -32 F to 140 F (0 C to 60 C)
-Storage temperatures – -4 F to 185 F (-20 C to 85 C)
-Waterproof – protects against water damage
-Fast – data transfer rates of up to 24 MB/sec. read and up to 10 MB/sec. write
-Enhanced – Enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost on PCs preinstalled with Windows Vista
-Casing – Titanium Coated Stainless Steel
-Safeguarded – includes MyDataZone access security software for Windows
-Simple – just plug and play into a USB port
-Easy to Use – includes My Traveler file management software
-Guaranteed – five-year warranty
256-bit data encryption for advanced protection.
Protect even your most sensitive data on Windows-based systems with Kingstons DataTraveler Secure (DTS) USB 2.0 Flash drive. Quickly transfer and safely carry digital files wherever your business takes you. Ideal for all types of digital content from multimedia presentations to support files.
The unique combination of hardware- and software based security on the DataTraveler Secure gives you unprecedented access control and encrypted data protection on Windows-based systems. With DataTraveler Secures MyDataZone software, you can set password access control for a private data storage area that utilizes 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) hardware-based encryption. If lost, this advanced hardware encryption system will continue to protect the data in your drives privacy zone, even under the toughest conditions. Designed to utilize the high bandwidth of the USB 2.0 High-Speed interface, the DataTraveler Secure cuts to the chase when transferring your data with its impressive read and write speeds of up to 24 MB/sec. and 10 MB/sec.
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For ease of use and personalization, My Traveler software helps you organize the DataTravelers contents, set language preferences and synchronize files with the host device. Add your companies logo to the DataTraveler Secure, to help with branding and/or asset management.
DTSs waterproof rating continues to keep data safe and for added protection, DTS is designed with a metal casing. For additional peace of mind, DataTraveler Secure is backed by a five-year warranty and Kingstons legendary quality, service and support.
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A Better Look at Things
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The Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive arrives in a clear plastic package with the drive displayed in the center of the white cardboard card which bears the Kingston logo. The card also reveals the features of the drive which include 256-bit AES hardware based data encryption, waterproof up to 4 feet and a five year warranty.
The back of the package displays a compatibility table for the various OSes it works with. Unfortunately, the security feature is only compatible with Windows 2000/XP systems. Sorry, Mac and Linux fans, no data encryption for you.
The drive is composed of Titanium Coated Stainless Steel and is colored slate grey with a black plastic textured grip along the sides. On the front side of the drive, the Kingston logo is emblazed in silver along the drives body and the back side features the DataTraveler Secure logo. The top and bottom of both the cap and drive are also bordered by this same black material.
The Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive has a cap instead of a retractable USB tip. You will notice very quickly that this cap is very tightly attached. Primarily this is to keep the DataTraveler Secure waterproof. This tightness should also prevent the accidental loss of the cap, especially in my case. At the back end, there is a small opening for the carrying lanyard. Right next to this opening, is a Blue LED that lights up when drive activity is occurring.
In terms of size, this drive is comparable in size to the Original PNY Attache and slightly larger than the original Sandisk Cruzers. While it weighs more than the standard USB drive, it is designed to be rugged and sustain more abuse than the typical drive. In fact, the DataTraveler Secure is supposed to be able to survive submersion in up to four feet of water.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
Once the DataTraveler Secure is plugged in, there are two applications on the USB drive. Mydatazone allows one to create a data encrypted partition of up to the full capacity of the drive. The second program, MyTraveler allows advanced management of the drive, including synchronization of folders and enabling write protection.
Optimally, there will be two parts of your drive, the privacy zone, which requires a password to access the files located within this zone and the unprotected zone. The unprotected area is seen as soon as the DataTraveler Secure is plugged into the PC or Mac.
On the MyDataZone login screen, there is a trust this computer box, when checked will negate the need for a password input on that machine.
While in the privacy zone, files are highlighted in orange. Once you logout of the privacy zone, then the drive acts as a normal USB drive with all the files on this partition being unencrypted.
For testing, SiSoftware Sandra Professional Business XI and HD TachRW were used. For drive speed comparison, I used the OCZ Rally2 2GB USB drive.
As you see on the Physical Drive Benchmark using Sandra Professional Business XI, both the unencrypted DataTraveler Secure and the OCZ Rally2 ran at similar speeds of 24 MB/s. while the encrypted partition on the Kingston drive ran at a slower 20 MB/s.
In HD TachRW, the OCZ Rally2 had a better burst speed and sequential read speed than the DataTraveler Secure. When comparing the Kingston DataTraveler Secure encrypted and unencrypted partitions, the sequential read speed and burst speed were moderately better for the unencrypted partition.
Summary:
The Kingston DataTraveler Secure provides multiple forms of security. Whether it is physical security with its Titanium Coated Stainless Steel body or data wise, with its 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) hardware-based encryption, this drive from Kingston will keep all your information safe.
Although encryption slows down the data transfer speed, it is imperceptible by the user. In fact, I was able to view video off the encrypted partition without a hiccup. In fact, I am going to retire the OCZ Rally2 and make the the Kingston DataTraveler Secure, my daily USB drive.
DragonSteelMods gives the Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive a 5 out of 5 score and our Recommended Award as well.
Pros:
-Encryption
-Easy to use
-Well constructed
-Water Proof
Cons:
-None
I would like to thank Kingston for the chance to review the Kingston DataTraveler Secure 2GB USB Drive and for their support of DSM.
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