"It even comes with a password lock utility to secure stored data and prevent una..."

[Marcos]

"It even comes with a password lock utility to secure stored data and prevent unauthorised access."

Buy Fujitsu MMD2160UB 160GB USB2 HandydriverubbishMMD2160UB from CCL - Online Retailer of the Year 2007 & 2006 for laptops, desktops and computer hardware

This portable drive comes with some sort fo software that prompts for a password, is that kind of thing available free separately?

I dont need any sort of encryption, i just literally need a password prompt when you first plug in the drive.

[Noxvayl]

That is a really good price btw. The encryption password lock software does cost if you want to use it separately so its easier to find it built in because then there are no settings for you to go through when setting it up because the manufacturer has done it for you. Its lazy but who wants to waste time on storage when its possible for someone else to do it for you

Some of the ways I've tried to password protect info was to zip the file with password but then you need to unzip it and also I sneakily hid files by making them hidden and setting folder options to not view hidden files which effectively kept them out of the way

Never bothered purchasing the software that does a better job of password protecting certain areas so I wouldn't know how well they worked or how easy they are to set up. But built in software is always easier anyway.

[Marcos]

That is a really good price btw. The encryption password lock software does cost if you want to use it separately so its easier to find it built in because then there are no settings for you to go through when setting it up because the manufacturer has done it for you. Its lazy but who wants to waste time on storage when its possible for someone else to do it for you

Some of the ways I've tried to password protect info was to zip the file with password but then you need to unzip it and also I sneakily hid files by making them hidden and setting folder options to not view hidden files which effectively kept them out of the way

Is it possible to have the password protection without encryption?

i dont want/need any sort of encryption, and i definitely dont want something as cumbersome as RAR or ZIP.

I just need 1 "wall" of protection, just 1 password to enter the dirve and then thats it, everything is accessible and accessed as quick as a normal drive. That would be ideal. i only need to keep regular users out, its not important data.

[peterb]

"It even comes with a password lock utility to secure stored data and prevent unauthorised access."

Buy Fujitsu MMD2160UB 160GB USB2 Handydrive*MMD2160UB from CCL - Online Retailer of the Year 2007 & 2006 for laptops, desktops and computer hardware

This portable drive comes with some sort fo software that prompts for a password, is that kind of thing available free separately?

I dont need any sort of encryption, i just literally need a password prompt when you first plug in the drive.

The Fujitsu site gives more info.

Fujitsu | HandyDrive-III 120 | Product Description

The password utility is a free download. The site doesn't explain how it works, but I suspect it utilises the drive lock capability built into the ATA specification. (Some laptops use that when a start up password is specified in the bios) It doesn't appear to offer any encryption facilities.

[SiM]

Ah, don't want the wife to see the porno drive?

I don't see anything free that does the job but there is some software out there that will do this, I think. Like this: How to Password-Protect Folders on Your USB External and Removable Drives

TBH, you are better off just encrypting it with truecrypt unless you can find some software that does just a password reliably for free.

[Marcos]

pretty much

ive tried truecrypt but i dont want encryption and slow file performance, just need 1 password barrier. I dont know anyone savvy enough to break that, and if they did then they deserve to see the contents

[SiM]

How about just hiding the hard drive somewhere?

[Giraffe]

From the wife?!

[SiM]

From the wife?!

Well it depends... he might be hiding it from his parents, his wife or his kids... that's why passwords were invented... to hide porn.

[Marcos]

How about just hiding the hard drive somewhere?

well, i dont know about you guys, but as a PC user i find it pretty embarrassing that there is no very easy way to password protect a drive.

I mean, i can render photo realistic CAD models, i can edit HD movies, etc, but i cant do a simple password lock on an external drive?

[peterb]

It doesn't really matter whether the drive is internal or external, the ATA specification provides a lock command, and I suspect that the utility provided for the Fujitsu drive just provides a mechanism for applying that, via a password. It isn't terribly secure, but probably secure enough.

To reallysecure yoiur data, you need to encrypt the data, using something like truecryprt or BEcrypt, or use a drive/enclosure designed for the purpose.

[Giraffe]

Does TrueCrypt have much effect, then?

[SiM]

Does TrueCrypt have much effect, then?

Well unless your wife is a hardcore hacker, the effect is that she won't see your porn

[peterb]

pretty much

ive tried truecrypt but i dont want encryption and slow file performance, just need 1 password barrier. I dont know anyone savvy enough to break that, and if they did then they deserve to see the contents

If it is just a utlitythat passes the ATA lock command to the drive, then any utilty that will right ATA commands can be used to unlock it. (But I must say that that is only supposition - but I don't think the ATA command set itself supports password protection)

Truecrypt creates an encrypted container on the drive - and all the contents are then encrypted. The truecrypt application handles passwords (which are in effect the 'seed' for the encryption algorithm.

Well it depends... he might be hiding it from his parents, his wife or his kids... that's why passwords were invented... to hide porn.

Or more likely - his financial information, passwords etc (or maybe half a million tax credit records! )

[SiM]

Or more likely - his financial information, passwords etc (or maybe half a million tax credit records! )

Not likely. Financial information needs to be secure and the files won't be that large (if its just for him), so encryption is the best choice as it would be fast and secure. Porn on the other hand, well there is TBs of the stuff out there

[Marcos]

If it is just a utlitythat passes the ATA lock command to the drive, then any utilty that will right ATA commands can be used to unlock it. (But I must say that that is only supposition - but I don't think the ATA command set itself supports password protection)

Truecrypt creates an encrypted container on the drive - and all the contents are then encrypted. The truecrypt application handles passwords (which are in effect the 'seed' for the encryption algorithm.



Or more likely - his financial information, passwords etc (or maybe half a million tax credit records! )

ah right, well uhh, lets say it is porn, nothing financial or important, no need for encryption, not the end of the world if it gets found, BUT i'd like a simple password entry into the drive.

I dont know anyone savvy enough to want to crack through any password screen and if they did manage it then they deserve to see the contents


am i being too honest?