Lockable USB drive gets physical with digital security

[Fi8sVrs]

Puzzle and security freaks will love the new Crypteks physically lockable USB device. The USB storage is located inside a housing with five rings on the outside, each set with the 26 letters of the alphabet. Twist to your code and you've unlocked your USB. With 26 letters and five rings, you'll have whopping 14,348,907 possible passwords. Now that's security!

If all of this sounds familiar, you're right. The Crypteks was inspired by the "cryptex" device featured in The Da Vinci Code. A cryptex is a locking device using cryptography — a complex combination of numbers or letters — to protect an item inside.

After using your combination to unlock the device and release your USB, you can remove the outer rings and reset your passcode by placing them back with a new code set between red dots as a guide. You can even send the device back to the maker if you forget your code. Somehow though, we think you're the type that will remember.

If the high level of mechanical encryption isn't enough security for those worried about their sensitive data, the USB also offers 256-bit AES hardware encryption — also with a password. But be warned — this one can't be reset.

Every detail has been thought of — the solid-aluminum alloy design has an anodized layer to ward off fingerprints and dust. The USB tip is also retractable. It's available in 4, 8 and 16 GB capacities, and 24 MB/s read and 10 MB/s write speeds.

The Crypteks got its start via Kickstarter, and enough backing has been raised for production so these drives should ship for the holidays.

Lockable USB drive gets physical with digital security | DVICE