Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. USB Stick data protection

USB Stick data protection

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
csharpcomtoolsperformancehelp
48 Posts 26 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • D DaveyM69

    I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

    Dave
    BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
    Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

    E Offline
    E Offline
    Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
    wrote on last edited by
    #9

    Pgp

    Need custom software developed? I do C# development and consulting all over the United States. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • D DaveyM69

      I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

      Dave
      BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
      Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

      S Offline
      S Offline
      Stuart Dootson
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      Does she have WinZip installed? If so, then an encrypted zip file might be better than nothing?

      Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p

      D 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • D DaveyM69

        I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

        Dave
        BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
        Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jorgen Andersson
        wrote on last edited by
        #11

        Adata[^] is having a USB Stick with a fingerprint reader whose program runs without installation directly from the stick. Works only with windows, and I haven't been able to find out if it needs admin rights. Might be worth checking out though.

        D 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • L Lost User

          My usb stick is a U3 stick - and has encryption 'built in' - I don't know what is required on the client machine (it's always 'just worked' for me - including at schools) Might be worth an investigation...

          ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

          D Offline
          D Offline
          DaveyM69
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          I'll check it out - thanks

          Dave
          BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
          Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

          L 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • S Stuart Dootson

            Does she have WinZip installed? If so, then an encrypted zip file might be better than nothing?

            Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p

            D Offline
            D Offline
            DaveyM69
            wrote on last edited by
            #13

            Unfortunately not. I can password protect a windows created zip using xp but new files added don't seem to require the password to be entered - only ones that were present when the password was applied - wierd!

            Dave
            BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
            Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

            S E M 3 Replies Last reply
            0
            • D DaveyM69

              Unfortunately not. I can password protect a windows created zip using xp but new files added don't seem to require the password to be entered - only ones that were present when the password was applied - wierd!

              Dave
              BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
              Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

              S Offline
              S Offline
              Stuart Dootson
              wrote on last edited by
              #14

              That seems right understandable, actually - the password is actually applied to the files in a zip file, not to the zip file itself. Doesn't make it any more convenient though. BTW - don't know if these[^] are of any use?

              Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • J Jorgen Andersson

                Adata[^] is having a USB Stick with a fingerprint reader whose program runs without installation directly from the stick. Works only with windows, and I haven't been able to find out if it needs admin rights. Might be worth checking out though.

                D Offline
                D Offline
                DaveyM69
                wrote on last edited by
                #15

                A bit of googling seems it needs admin - bugger! Otherwise it would be ideal :(

                Dave
                BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                J 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • D DaveyM69

                  A bit of googling seems it needs admin - bugger! Otherwise it would be ideal :(

                  Dave
                  BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                  Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  Jorgen Andersson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  DaveyM69 wrote:

                  A bit of googling seems it needs admin - bugger! Otherwise it would be ideal

                  Indeed, I was thinking about buying one myself.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • D DaveyM69

                    I'll check it out - thanks

                    Dave
                    BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                    Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #17

                    According to wiki This software automatically attempts installation of U3 components (U3 Launchpad) on the harddisk drive and associated System Registry entries on the Host Computer. Afterwards the U3 software can be taken with all its personalized settings to any computer running a compatible version of Microsoft Windows (though no other operating system), with no need to install the software if not already there, or to use different settings and options, the initialization Host computer requires Administrative privileges and no need for administrator access privileges on subsequent computers.[citation needed] The usb emulated a cd with an autorun to run he launchpad including encryption (if set up) so you need admin to set it up the first time, btu I think subsequently it will run on XP plus without admin I have a 4gb Cruzer I picked up for a few bucks and it's great (i also used it at a school where I was a little paranoid about losing it - as it had things like test answers on it, and the little horrors wouldn't blink before nicking it!)

                    ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                    D 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L Lost User

                      According to wiki This software automatically attempts installation of U3 components (U3 Launchpad) on the harddisk drive and associated System Registry entries on the Host Computer. Afterwards the U3 software can be taken with all its personalized settings to any computer running a compatible version of Microsoft Windows (though no other operating system), with no need to install the software if not already there, or to use different settings and options, the initialization Host computer requires Administrative privileges and no need for administrator access privileges on subsequent computers.[citation needed] The usb emulated a cd with an autorun to run he launchpad including encryption (if set up) so you need admin to set it up the first time, btu I think subsequently it will run on XP plus without admin I have a 4gb Cruzer I picked up for a few bucks and it's great (i also used it at a school where I was a little paranoid about losing it - as it had things like test answers on it, and the little horrors wouldn't blink before nicking it!)

                      ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                      D Offline
                      D Offline
                      DaveyM69
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #18

                      Looks like this might be the way to go. Set up at home using admin then use anywhere - no install or admin required, ... hopefully!

                      Dave
                      BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                      Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • D DaveyM69

                        Unfortunately not. I can password protect a windows created zip using xp but new files added don't seem to require the password to be entered - only ones that were present when the password was applied - wierd!

                        Dave
                        BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                        Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                        E Offline
                        E Offline
                        Ed Poore
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #19

                        How about Portable 7-zip[^]? Can just dump it on the disk as well.


                        I doubt it. If it isn't intuitive then we need to fix it. - Chris Maunder

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • D DaveyM69

                          I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

                          Dave
                          BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                          Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                          P Offline
                          P Offline
                          PIEBALDconsult
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          Lock it in a handgun case. :-D

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • D DaveyM69

                            Looks like this might be the way to go. Set up at home using admin then use anywhere - no install or admin required, ... hopefully!

                            Dave
                            BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                            Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            And you can put on your favourite U3 software (browser, email client, whatever) to have where ever you may roam ONly downside I have experienced is that it is slower to start than a regular USB stick (though not too bad) and slightly more expensive.

                            ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • D DaveyM69

                              I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

                              Dave
                              BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                              Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Douglas Troy
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              Iron Key[^] Expensive, but from what I've read about it, requires no software installation; entirely h/w based encryption.

                              N 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D Douglas Troy

                                Iron Key[^] Expensive, but from what I've read about it, requires no software installation; entirely h/w based encryption.

                                N Offline
                                N Offline
                                NimitySSJ
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                That's one of the best of its kind. I was going to recommend IronKey, but I'm also unsure of client-side requirements. (I've only used them on machines I have full access to.) Some I found on search that *may* work right and without admin access: Omziff portable encryption http://www.xtort.net/xtort-software/omziff/ [^] Rohos Minidrive says it creates a "hidden and encrypted" partition, and comes with a tool to access it without administrative rights. I don't know its crypto credentials, but I know it won't need admin to run. Look into it. http://www.rohos.com/free-encryption/[^]

                                D 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • D DaveyM69

                                  I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

                                  Dave
                                  BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                                  Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                                  W Offline
                                  W Offline
                                  werD
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #24

                                  This might be a little ahead but Bitlocker to Go[^] (a win 7 feature) looks pretty nice and i believe it is compatible with older os's(it has an app that uses a passkey to decrypt) you just use a "passphrase".. anyway might be an excuse to break out a Win 7 dvd if you havent already hmmm further reading leads me to believe it may just work on systems that support bitlocker :/ Heck you could just write an encryption application yourself

                                  DrewG, MCSD .Net

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • D DaveyM69

                                    I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

                                    Dave
                                    BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                                    Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                                    G Offline
                                    G Offline
                                    Guy Harwood
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #25

                                    Sandisk Cruzer 8GB with password protection and readyboost for vista (if you have it!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Cruzer-Micro-Readyboost-Flash/dp/B000VBPOKY[^]

                                    ---Guy H ;-)---

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • D DaveyM69

                                      I borrowed my other half's USB memory stick tonight and noticed she has quite alot of sensitive data on it (she uses it at work and she works in a school). If she lost this it could be very serious as the data isn't encrypted in any way at all. Googling for ways to fix this brought up way too many results, so I figured I'd ask here (so I get informed/expert opinion rather than the usual internet junk) if there's one in particular you'd recommend. It needs to be able to be used in any PC without any install on that machine as she doesn't have those privileges on the computers at work - they're all Windows 2000 / XP. Preferably free, or cheap!

                                      Dave
                                      BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                                      Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                                      A Offline
                                      A Offline
                                      aavanzi
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #26

                                      Use FreeOTFE. Free, works in "installed" and "traveler" mode, crypts using a wide choice of encryption algorithms. The cripted volume appears as a file on the USB device, and it is mounted as a regular volume once the correct passphrase has been provided.

                                      D 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • L Lost User

                                        My usb stick is a U3 stick - and has encryption 'built in' - I don't know what is required on the client machine (it's always 'just worked' for me - including at schools) Might be worth an investigation...

                                        ___________________________________________ .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        ScottMacMaster
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        U3 won't work at the college I work at. We've blocked it from running on our computers. The virtual cd-rom behavior is letting students install and run unapproved software...and students keep accidently infecting our lab computers with that Antivirus 2009 virus when they stick their infected thumb drives into our computers. Not sure what all the issues are with U3. Since I'm the programming department I've only overhear the complaints from the network support people.

                                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • D DaveyM69

                                          Don't think so as it's user account based - and obviously she has a different account at work than home.

                                          Dave
                                          BTW, in software, hope and pray is not a viable strategy. (Luc Pattyn)
                                          Visual Basic is not used by normal people so we're not covering it here. (Uncyclopedia)

                                          D Offline
                                          D Offline
                                          Dave Parker
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          I think it's possible to export the certificate with private key and then import it onto other machines. Not sure how to tell the other machine to use that to encrypt new stuff though rather than the cert that was generated there locally, and it'd probably just end up getting confusing. Not sure if it needs admin rights or not.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups