Comments on: Review: IronKey Secure Hardware-Encrypted Flash Drive

By: Job

Job — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:44:55 +0000

@ Roberto, I tried Truecrypt. It works indeed but the only downside is that you need to run it in Administrator mode on the Mac for using it. I prefer to work as a standard user on a Mac so upgrading the account just for the memory stick was a bit too much... But I really encourage the opensource solutions like Truecrypt.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:08:47 +0000

There is also Truecrypt. A free open-source app for Windows, Linux and Mac. It contains many advanced features and allows for true cross-platform secure storage. Truecrypt also includes a "Traveler" mode so that it does not have to be installed on the machine accessing it allowing it to be used as a portable app as well.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:18:48 +0000

Mike, The Ironkey does not place files on your computer. However, there are a number of cases where software you may use to access files on a secure device will leave files on the PC. For example, Word will leave temporary files on the PC when you edit documents. It will also leave temporary print queue documents when you print. These stay in directories on the PC and will contain whatever confidential information that was stored on the word document on the Iron Key.

No product is secure if you don't know exactly how all the software on your computer works in detail. It's not possible for someone to give you solid advice in this regard without knowing everything about your particular problem, so if it's important, please don't rely on advice from the Internet.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:59:28 +0000

Mike, No. Also this report failed to mention the self destruct feature that inisiates after 10 failed password attempts and if it senses a physical attack on the stick.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:54:35 +0000

If one uses the IronKey on a computer that is not and never will be hooked up to the internet, is there any way for anyone to access the information on the IronKey? Is there any information on the files of the IronKey that stays with the computer?

By: t-miles

t-miles — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:52:51 +0000

An alternative that provides the same functionality and has a free version is Cryptainer LE. It lets you install its software onto any portable device (or CD). However, it only runs on Windows (all versions) - but not Mac. I've used it for a few years now and it works great.