Survive at all costs: secure flash drives

SanDisk Cruzer Force 16Gb

The cost of a metal SanDisk flash drive is almost the same as conventional (plastic) models. At the same time, it is very reliable and has a convenient design. So, there are no moving or removable elements in the drive case and it can be attached to a bunch of keys or a chain (there is a special hole for this).

The Cruzer Force is available in capacities ranging from 8GB to 64GB. Another advantage of the drive is the included SanDisk SecureAccess software to hide personal or sensitive data from other people. The application can create a password-protected directory on the flash drive to store important files.

Encryption is performed using 128-bit AES technology, which is considered very strong (although not guaranteed to be 100% secure). Therefore, people without special skills and means will not be able to access confidential information if you lose the drive or leave it temporarily unattended.

With numerous advantages, the Cruzer Force is not without a couple of drawbacks. The first objective minus is the slow read and write speed of 20 MB / s and only 4 MB / s, respectively. Recording large files such as movies will take a long time. Good for document storage. The second minus is subjective — some users complain that the metal slips a little in the hand. Given the modest price of this USB key fob, these disadvantages can be forgiven.

A-Data S805 16Gb

This low-cost model is available in 16GB or 32GB capacity and comes in either grey or red. The compact body of the flash drive (dimensions 19x62x9 mm, weight 25 g) is not all-metal, like the Corsair Survivor Stealth: the case is made of plastic, but its edging is made of zinc alloy. Therefore, the S805 is not suitable for extreme conditions, but it is still stronger than many plastic flash drives.

Like other models in our review, the key fob is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS. The speed of reading data (from 21 to 26 MB / s) and their writing (from 13 to 19 MB / s) cannot be called high. However, this is typical of almost all models with such a modest price tag and USB 2.0 interface.

The “chip” of the drive is a metal mount such as a carabiner. With it, the S805 is easy to attach to a belt loop, key ring, backpack or bag, etc. The second advantage of the device is the retractable design. That is, it does not have a cap that can be lost during a trip, and the USB connector is hidden inside the case.

Another plus is a long connector that allows you to use a USB flash drive on computers with a "hard-to-reach" USB input. Some people complain about the retractable mechanism: if not handled carefully, it can loosen a little. However, this nuance does not spoil the positive impressions of the owners of the A-Data S805. A-Data has almost no competitors with such an unusual design, so it was not for nothing that it was awarded the reddot Design Award 2009.

Transcend JetFlash V70 32Gb

The Transcend JetFlash V70 is housed in a rugged and waterproof case (22x63x11mm, weight 15g). Its environmentally friendly rubber coating is pleasant to the touch and gives the flash drive an original appearance. In addition, the manufacturer offers us four colour options. Each of them not only pleases the eye with cheerful colours (red, orange, purple, blue), but also helps to quickly find a flash drive in the field or among other little things in a bag and on a table.

The drive meets the requirements of military standard MIL-STD-810F 516.5 and is characterized by increased resistance to the adverse effects of shock, moisture and dust ingress. According to the owners, she is not afraid of falling to the floor and accidental washing. Removable protective cap, also made of rubber, is "on a leash". Therefore, it will not be lost and will protect the plug from contamination and shock. In addition, the manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on this drive.

The JetFlash V70 has a weak point — USB 2.0 interface and not the best electronic components that provide read (15 Mbps) and data write (11 Mbps) speeds. On these points JetFlash V70 loses to Kingston and Corsair drives. If speed is critical for you when copying large files, Transcend has prepared a JetFlash 810 USB 3.0 flash drive for you, and we have included more expensive models in the rating. One more detail: after the flash drive is subjected to power surges, it becomes “invisible” to the computer, which can only be corrected by formatting. Accordingly, it is unlikely that data can be recovered in this case.

This feature of the flash drive is not limited. Information on the JetFlash V70 can be protected from prying eyes and more secure. The Transcend Elite programme allows you to apply 256-bit AES data encryption for this and make a backup in the Google Drive cloud service.

Kingston DataTraveler R3.0 G2 32Gb

DataTraveler R3.0 G2 is a drive from the well-known manufacturer Kingston. With a relatively small size (22x56x9 mm), the flash drive has a rubberized casing, which is certified according to the IPX8 standard for shock resistance and moisture resistance. According to the requirements of IPX8, immersion up to 1 metre for 1 hour is allowed, or, in other words, the flash drive is not afraid of a spilled cup of coffee and washing in a jeans pocket. There is a small hole in the body of the device: you can pass a thin chain or string through it to tie the flash drive to something or wear it around your neck.

The drive has a USB 3.0 port and is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 connectors. The DataTraveler R3.0 G2 32 GB version reads at an impressive 120 Mbps, which outperforms the rest of our rankings. The speed of writing information to a USB flash drive can also be considered as good — 45 MB / s. You will save time when copying files. For example, when recording a 7.6 GB file (Full HD video) from a PC, the DataTraveler R3.0 G2 can handle 8 times faster than a standard USB 2.0 drive, thus saving you about 20 minutes.

In addition, the presence of a five-year warranty support from the manufacturer speaks in favor of choosing this flash drive. We did not find any critical shortcomings in the Kingston model. Some users express concerns that the cap does not hold as securely as you would expect from such a flash drive and there is a possibility of losing it. Which, you see, can hardly be considered a serious obstacle to the acquisition of a drive. How justified the relatively high cost of this model is, of course, up to the buyers, and our opinion DataTraveler is worth the money.

Corsair Survivor Stealth 16Gb

And finally, the leader of our review, which more than others corresponds to the formula "reliable protection + high speed" — Corsair Survivor Stealth. First of all, it is notable for its body made of aircraft-grade aluminium. It is not only durable and sealed, but also has a brutal design — the drive is hidden in a capsule with rubber seals on the threads and notches that are palpable to the touch. Although, some scrupulous users attribute the drive's disadvantages to its dimensions and weight (44 g), which are larger than those of conventional flash drives, and its not very convenient design — the cap takes a relatively long time to unscrew. However, these are trifles against the background of the advantages of this model, which only emphasize what a serious design Corsair has.

Survivor Stealth is positioned by the manufacturer as a drive for use in extreme conditions, so it is designed to withstand strong shocks and survive diving to a depth of 200 metres. Reliability underscores the presence of a five-year warranty from Corsair. In addition, there are two more characteristics that made us include Corsair in our rating: USB 3.0 compatibility and high read (70 Mbps) and write (20 Mbps) speeds. According to this criterion Survivor Stealth outperforms the three models in our review, but is inferior to the competitor from Kingston.

A conditional disadvantage of the key fob is the lack of an official representative office in the CIS countries, which complicates its warranty repair. Nevertheless, Corsair deserves attention as one of the best secure flash drives available on the market — with an all-metal body and brutal design, as well as decent speed.