secure file exchange between Mac & PC using USB sticks....

[pmeswani]

Assuming that one could build a machine that could recover a DES key in a second (i.e., try 255 keys per second), then it would take that machine approximately 149 thousand-billion (149 trillion) years to crack a 128-bit AES key. To put that into perspective, the universe is believed to be less than 20 billion years old.

about 10 or 15 years ago, they said that DES could not be broken, and that it would take far too long to break. As you said, it could be broken in next to no time. As it stands right now, AES is difficult (but not impossible) to crack. It's just a matter of time before the technology is available to break it in the same time as DES.

[dinker]

I wouldn`t take anything I found on yahoo Answers seriously:

In the late 1990s, specialized "DES Cracker" machines were built that could recover a DES key after a few hours. In other words, by trying possible key values, the hardware could determine which key was used to encrypt a message.

Assuming that one could build a machine that could recover a DES key in a second (i.e., try 255 keys per second), then it would take that machine approximately 149 thousand-billion (149 trillion) years to crack a 128-bit AES key. To put that into perspective, the universe is believed to be less than 20 billion years old.

[pmeswani]

Looks good. Secured data storage - pity it's $300 for a 8gig device - nonetheless small price to pay instead of loosing unencrypted client data...


OS Compatibility
Windows XP, Vista
Windows 2000 SP4 -
no Password Manager

OS Compatibility - encrypted storage only
Linux - kernel 2.6+
Mac OSX (beta)

Yep. $300 is a lot of money, but compared to losing customer's data, as you said, it's a small price to pay. We don't want a headline story regarding data loss..... I wish I had the money to buy one for myself.

[scooterscot]

Can you get USB sticks with fingerprint recognition built in?

I think you can but I don't believe the data stored is encrypted - is it not the case fingerprint authentication is only used for access to the drive contents?

[scooterscot]

https://www.ironkey.com/ikdocs/datas...data-sheet.pdf ?

Looks good. Secured data storage - pity it's $300 for a 8gig device - nonetheless small price to pay instead of loosing unencrypted client data...


OS Compatibility
Windows XP, Vista
Windows 2000 SP4 -
no Password Manager

OS Compatibility - encrypted storage only
Linux - kernel 2.6+
Mac OSX (beta)

[Fred Bloggs]

Can you get USB sticks with fingerprint recognition built in?

[pmeswani]

I've been searching this forum and everywhere else - not much success so far.

truecrypt does not offer a solution since I need admin rights to install.

A encrypted DMG file kept on my USB stick is perfect until I need to access it in windows. All applications required admin rights to install...

How do you secure USB content that can be shared between multiple OS?

https://www.ironkey.com/ikdocs/datas...data-sheet.pdf ?

[OrangeHopper]

Could you include the program you use to decrypt on the stick and therefore not need admin rights?

[scooterscot]

Thought of this but I'm surprised how easily zip files are cracked.

I need to encrypt the entire contents of the drive.

[OrangeHopper]

zip file with password?

[scooterscot]

I've been searching this forum and everywhere else - not much success so far.

truecrypt does not offer a solution since I need admin rights to install.

A encrypted DMG file kept on my USB stick is perfect until I need to access it in windows. All applications required admin rights to install...

How do you secure USB content that can be shared between multiple OS?