Access saftey on external USB disk

[JonR]

Friends;

Can I get some advice on the following topic.

I intend to move all my photos and other documents to an external USB drive/disk for backup and I intend to locate it off-site. Therefore I need some kind of access-safety for the drive so that even if someone steals it they will not be able to access the data.

One way would of course be to use some encryptation software but I would prefer not to do so - in order to avoid the cryptation process but even more so in order to avoid having to install some kind of software and to ensure that I can move the disk to any PC in the future and easily access the data.

So - I am looking for a drive with some "built-in" access security which is reliable and solid enough for my needs. Any suggestions/experience !??

Jon

 

[wolves3012]

You have two choices really. Since you want to be able to access the disk yourself, it's fair to say that anyone else can unless you a) block physical access or b) block access by cryptographic means.

It would not be practical to incorporate electronic security unless there are drives requiring some form of code for access. I'm no expert on these things but I've never heard of any, though they may well exist.

Physical security means that not only can no-one access the drive but also that it's less likely you lose access due to theft. A small safe of some description would do the trick but it's hardly going to be cheap.

Cryptographic means would secure your data more effectively but not prevent loss due to theft. Some measure of physical security would be needed in addition.

I know you would rather avoid cryptography but it's bar far the cheaper option and offers greater security against data theft. There are many programs available to encrypt data, to various levels of security. I have used one called Scram DIsk, this offers various types and depths of encryption. There are plenty of others to choose from, however.

 

[JonR]

Thanks for input!

I have found an external drive from LaCie which has an access protection based on swiping your fingerprint so that is one alternative which is definately a possibility.

Cryptation as you say is the most simple one but I am hesitant. I will use this drive as a backup drive and store it off-site. It may be a couple of years until I need the data - if ever - and then to decrypt you will have to install the original software on the PC and you will risk all issues coming from software upgrades, new operating systems (Vista and not XP etc) and backward compatibility.... I simply do not feel fully comfortable with that part of cryptation which includes the software installation on the new PC which needs to access the data.

Maybe someone has comments/experience from this!??

Jon