Review: Secure Flash Drives

Enex Testlab Review

Sandisk Cruzer Edge

The Cruzer Edge is the only software-encryption based flash drive included here, and is essentially a standard USB flash drive with optional software that makes it easy to encrypt and manage encrypted files. In this sense, the Cruzer Edge is significantly different -- and cheaper -- than its hardware encryption based counterparts here.

Sandisk's solution works on a file-by-file basis, utilising the Sandisk SecureAccess software which first needs to be installed and a password set. Files can then be dragged onto the main SecureAccess window or to a pop-up, and rather unsightly, 'safe' icon to copy files to the USB flash drive in encrypted form.

Encrypted files are simply stored within a 'My Vaults' directory. It's not the most elegant of solutions, but we confirmed that files copied to the drive were indeed encrypted and unreadable when browsing the flash drive directly.

Files in a vault can't be edited through the SecureAccess software and, as it points out, you first need to copy them out of the vault, make changes, and copy them back. Sadly, the software is also bundled with advertising and prompts you to sign-up for newsletters and online storage with YuaaWaa. On the whole, we think you'd be better off using a free encryption solution (see the Do It Yourself boxout).

As the security is simply encrypted files on a standard flash disk, it's possible to mount the disk in another machine and copy encrypted files from it, making them vulnerable to brute-force attacks. There's also no password self-destruct function or other means of wiping the disk. That being said, the Cruzer Edge doesn't promise anything more -- it's not marketed as a secure USB flash drive, just a standard USB flash disk with optional encryption software, and for the price it's hard to argue. The software will defeat casual access should the drive be lost or stolen.

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