| Transcend JetFlash 210 1GB Finger Print USB Flash Drive
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Conclusion:
If you are concerned about the security of the data on your flash drive, then the Transcend JetFlash 210 may be just what you are looking for in order to ease your mind. The device allows you to protect sensitive data on the drive, and elsewhere on your system, with the simple swipe of your finger.
Not only will it keep data safe while the device is in your possession, but the JetFlash 210 can also be useful if you should ever happen to lose it. Losing a flash drive isn't that difficult to do considering the small size and low weight, so it isn't out of the question to think you might lose yours one day. The value of any flash drive is insignificant when compared to the potential value of the data stored on it. Making this data inaccessible to any one who finds (or steals) your flash drive provides peace of mind that even if you should lose your drive, your sensitive data is safe from prying eyes.
A search of PriceGrabber shows that the 1GB JetFlash 210 can be had for about $35 (before shipping and tax), and that the 2GB version is only $50. Although many flash drives might have sales and rebates to make them super cheap, these prices are quite competitive with other drives which don't offer any of the extra features found on the JetFlash 210.
In general the drive works as advertised, and is worth considering even if you don't think you will need the extra features. A few quirks are worth noting, and are summarized below.
The Password Bank Manager didn't work for most websites, as it only recognizes the pop-up style id / password prompt that I could only find with my web hosting and server admin control panels. It did not work for any stores, or financial sites, and above all it did not work with the handful of forums I visit and have such a hard time remembering my login credentials for.
The partitioning of the drive was one step that I had to revisit several times. You basically cut out a portion of your drive for 'normal' use no matter how you partition it, and I would prefer an option to have the full drive available, with hidden files on that partition. I have partitioned a few times now to allow more or less space to public or private storage, and each time it means having to move all files to my hard drive in order to protect them from being deleted. Partitioning usually does delete files, so that is nothing new, but the necessity on a flash drive didn't make sense to me.
The security of the drive is always present, which can be seen as a good and a bad thing. The good part is that all interactions require you to swipe your finger or type your password... even if you just swiped a few seconds earlier for something different (or even for the same thing). This guarantees that no one can access your protected files or any features on the drive even if you leave it connected and happen to walk away. The bad part is that all interactions require you to swipe your finger or type your password... As it becomes quite tedious to swipe your finger every time you want to do something with the drive.
Considering the low cost security provided on a flash drive with capacities of 1GB or 2GB, I award the Transcend JetFlash 210 the rating of "Recommended".
Pros:
» Competitively priced
» Provides added security to files anywhere on system
» Can choose between password or finger print authentication
» Security is persistent and requires authentication for all requests
» Allows you to use your Internet Explorer favorites on any other Windows PC
Cons:
» Password Bank Manager wasn't particularly useful
» Security is persistent and requires authentication for all requests
» Slow transfer speeds
Special thanks to Transcend USA for providing the Transcend JetFlash 210 1GB Finger Print USB Flash Drive to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.
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