SecuriKey: an ignition key for your computer

May 30, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Statistics show that the theft of portable computers continues to be on the rise. And while that might not be so surprising, what might raise an eyebrow is learning that it’s not the loss of the equipment itself that is of major concern.

Oh sure, the computer has some value and loss due to its theft is part of the problem. But the real value of these stolen computers lies within the data they contain. The costs associated to the theft of computer data are literally hundreds if not thousands of times more valuable.

Data encryption is one way to insure that your computer’s information stays protected from prying eyes. But most encryption products require the owner to remember passwords.

Too often, people choose easy to remember passwords such as their dog’s name or birth dates and by doing so, they unwittingly sacrifice the security of the data they are trying to protect. The only way to insure that a password will not succumb to being guessed is to choose one that isn’t a real word.

Choosing an actual English word leaves your protection open to things like dictionary attacks. Specially designed password cracking programs literally bombard a security program with hundreds of thousands of words in hopes that the correct one will be tried sooner or later.

Given that there are only so many words in the English language, it usually doesn’t take these kinds of attacks very long to accomplish their dirty work.

An effective password should contain a combination of letters, numbers and even punctuation marks.

But the problem with these kinds of cryptic passwords is that they are difficult to remember, especially if you need to keep track of several different ones. Another solution from GTSecuriKey is to use a physical key that will unlock your computer’s information.

The SecuriKey looks much like one of those USB flash memory drives that plugs into any available USB port. But instead of containing memory, the SecuriKey contains a sophisticated decryption key that will give you access to your computer’s data.

Using the included software, you install and configure the SecuriKey in several different ways. You can designate that the entire hard drive be encrypted but GTSecuriKey recommends that you designate specific folders to be classified as confidential.

While the key is inserted, you have full access to the information contained within these folders. In fact, they will appear completely normal to you or any application that wants to access their files. But when the key is removed, nothing within the specified folders will be available.

Other convenient options for your desktop computer let you unplug the key while the computer remains on. That way you can easily leave your computer unattended knowing the data is safe. When you return, just plug the SecuiKey back in and get immediate access.

The SecuriKey package ($130) comes with two physical USB keys and software. Select either the version for Windows or Macintosh systems. A Mult-User Kit ($120) and a Muilti-User Cross-Platform Kit ($350) are also available.

These add-on kits let you protect additional laptop computers. Check out the website for more details. By the way, if you lose all of your keys, all is not lost as long as you registered the product. GTSecuriKey will make you a new key at a nominal charge if you need it.

If you’re looking for an effective way to keep your precious data secure without the hassles associated with memorizing complex passwords, then the SecuriKey may just hold the key to your solution.

For more information, visit www.securikey.com.

Craig Crossman is a national newspaper columnist writing about computers and technology. For more information, visit his website at www.computeramerica.com.

2010 McClatchy Tribune