What is the best way to lock a USB drive from the onset, i.e. from the VERY moment you plug it in your USB port? A software like Folderlock requires to create a "Locker folder" in which you can put your files but the rest of the data (outside that folder) remains available.
Is there any other solution that would completely deny access to my drive when inserted until a password is entered?
I am not even looking for an encryption solution, but just for a "key" which will lock/unlock my USB drive.
Thanks for any input, solution and/or software suggestion!:-)
Pierre.
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You need a hardware solution, like the Cyberlock or Crucial Secure or something similar.
Or you have to use encryption on the whole drive software-wise... which requires admin rights for all the ones we're aware of.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I saw this handy gadget on the internet. Maybe it will help you. It uses Hardware Encryption and uses a password to access. It is virtually indestructible and waterproof. (at least they say so... :D)
https://www.ironkey.com/
Artificial intelligence stands no chance against natural stupidity!
Thanks for your replies.
Does this mean that there is NO software based solution to protect my USB key at plug-in time as outlined above?
How do people on this forum password protect their USB drives? What is the most used solution? Any suggestions out there?
Thanks a lot.
Pierre.
The best way is TrueCrypt. It requires admin privliges unless you use TCExplorer.
cowsay Moo
cowthink 'Dude, why are you staring at me.'
there really is no software based solution, except maybe something that has virus-like features. A software has to be launched before it can start working, plugging in a USB key will not launch the software, but make the program visible to be launched. Some viruses can auto launch on drive insertion, but you wouldnt want to use a virus like app for protection, that seems too ironic.
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
Recent U3 implementations have a semi-secure password protection that blocks access to the drive. The only thing that is visible is a small read-only partition. It might meet your needs, as long as you realize that the data on the drive is not encrypted, and advanced forensic techniques might be able to recover data without the password. But the password protection will definitely keep honest people away from your data.
I don't know whether U3 requires admin access in all cases, or just for the first time it is plugged in to a machine, or not at all.
At any rate, you can use the U3 password to block access to your drive, then once the password has been entered, run PortableApps from it.
That's not really a software solution. All of the really effective ways of protecting a drive require specialized hardware, as has been noted.
MC
I am not even looking for an encryption solution, but just for a "key" which will lock/unlock my USB drive.
1. Buy lockbox
2. Place USB drive in the box
3. Lock the box
Vintage!
lol, for some reason I dont think that was the kind of lock the OP was looking for
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
I was making a point, which I see not everyone understood.
Vintage!
understood...
My solution is even more simple... don't let your USB drive alone...
But...
That's not what everyone here is looking for...
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report
At least it's guaranteed to work on non-admin accounts
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I've seen another USB drive that had on it buttons with numbers from 1 to 10 and to access the data you need to press the password on it.
http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/padlock.aspx
Artificial intelligence stands no chance against natural stupidity!
You could get an U3 drive.
They come with a partition (of around 6 mb) that has some apps built in, and a menu like PA, and it includes a lock.
The Drive has two partitions, one for your stuff, and the other one for the U3 files (this one is Read Only), when you boot it, the biggest partition (with your stuff) won't boot unless you use the correct password.
Worked right for me, but the U3 menu sucks, GO PA!!