Price : Too low to display
8GB FLASH PADLOCK VER2 USB 2.0 EXT 256BIT AES SUPPORTS WIN MAC Linux
This review is from : Corsair Padlock Secure 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFPLA8GB
Awesome security concept and the price is right. . I work in IT, and part of our regulatory compliance is that we have to have USB drives secure so that in case one is lost, there's nothing potentially damaging to the organization. Sadly, most of the time it's hard to enforce compliance because it's too confusing or too difficult for the users to do.
Corsair's solution is pretty slick with hardware level access to the USB drive. Configuration (once you free it from the shrinkwrap without injuring yourself) is really easy - hold down the key button for 3 seconds, set your PIN, hit the key button again, verify your PIN and hit the key button again and that's it. The green light flashes and then you know you're able to insert the USB drive into your PC or Mac (I tested this on my Dell desktop and Macbook.) If the light's not flashing, Windows and OS X won't recognize the drive. It literally is that simple and takes 30 seconds to do.
Compared to devices like the Kingston Digital Traveler Secure 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, which are 4x the cost and rely on software based security that's not cross platform, Corsair's solution is great.
The performance of the drive is pretty good - it's as fast as my Sandisk 8GB Cruzer Titanium USB 2.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ7-8192-A11, Retail Package). I was able to copy large files over (photos in RAW format) and the drive seemed responsive enough.
The drive itself is typical of most Corsair drives - it's built ruggedly and you get the impression that you can run over this in your car and it'll still be safe. It's about twice the size by volume as my Sandisk Cruzer but it feels like it won't get lost easily and will handle abuse.
This drive isn't for everyone, but it's something to think about if you have anything that's not meant for prying eyes. If you're in healthcare or anything that requires your information to be secure, this is the drive for you.
Awesome security concept and the price is right. . I work in IT, and part of our regulatory compliance is that we have to have USB drives secure so that in case one is lost, there's nothing potentially damaging to the organization. Sadly, most of the time it's hard to enforce compliance because it's too confusing or too difficult for the users to do.
Corsair's solution is pretty slick with hardware level access to the USB drive. Configuration (once you free it from the shrinkwrap without injuring yourself) is really easy - hold down the key button for 3 seconds, set your PIN, hit the key button again, verify your PIN and hit the key button again and that's it. The green light flashes and then you know you're able to insert the USB drive into your PC or Mac (I tested this on my Dell desktop and Macbook.) If the light's not flashing, Windows and OS X won't recognize the drive. It literally is that simple and takes 30 seconds to do.
Compared to devices like the Kingston Digital Traveler Secure 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, which are 4x the cost and rely on software based security that's not cross platform, Corsair's solution is great.
The performance of the drive is pretty good - it's as fast as my Sandisk 8GB Cruzer Titanium USB 2.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ7-8192-A11, Retail Package). I was able to copy large files over (photos in RAW format) and the drive seemed responsive enough.
The drive itself is typical of most Corsair drives - it's built ruggedly and you get the impression that you can run over this in your car and it'll still be safe. It's about twice the size by volume as my Sandisk Cruzer but it feels like it won't get lost easily and will handle abuse.
This drive isn't for everyone, but it's something to think about if you have anything that's not meant for prying eyes. If you're in healthcare or anything that requires your information to be secure, this is the drive for you.
Corsair Padlock Secure 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFPLA8GB Reviews
very useful & impressive . I won't repeat everything the other 3 reviewers have sad about the padlock 2. It's convenient, secure, and rugged. However, I can't give it all 5 stars for 2 reasons:
1) I carry my padlock 2 in my pocket, and the soft outer covering quickly attracts and keeps lint and fuzz. Thus, the attractive surface quickly becomes unattractive (minor).
2) The big issue is the internal battery. I have had my padlock 2 about 3 months probably, and the internal batter seems to have lost the ability to keep a charge. Thus, it needs to be plugged into the computer to have enough power to unlock it. This has become a major inconvenience, and it loses some of the "wow" when I show it to other people.
Andrew
very useful & impressive . I won't repeat everything the other 3 reviewers have sad about the padlock 2. It's convenient, secure, and rugged. However, I can't give it all 5 stars for 2 reasons:
1) I carry my padlock 2 in my pocket, and the soft outer covering quickly attracts and keeps lint and fuzz. Thus, the attractive surface quickly becomes unattractive (minor).
2) The big issue is the internal battery. I have had my padlock 2 about 3 months probably, and the internal batter seems to have lost the ability to keep a charge. Thus, it needs to be plugged into the computer to have enough power to unlock it. This has become a major inconvenience, and it loses some of the "wow" when I show it to other people.
Andrew
Corsair Padlock Secure 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFPLA8GB Opinions
Good product . I used my ancient Casio Cassiopea hand held computer to carry important information with me password protected. Recently it died so I was looking for some other way to have the information with me but protected in case I loose it. I didn't find anything better then this password protected USB. Of course, it requires a computer to get to the files but I have tried this USB with different computers at home and work and didn't have a problem. It's very easy to operate but you need to read the manual to find out how to set up the password for the first time.
Good product . I used my ancient Casio Cassiopea hand held computer to carry important information with me password protected. Recently it died so I was looking for some other way to have the information with me but protected in case I loose it. I didn't find anything better then this password protected USB. Of course, it requires a computer to get to the files but I have tried this USB with different computers at home and work and didn't have a problem. It's very easy to operate but you need to read the manual to find out how to set up the password for the first time.
Cheap secure easy to use. . I would recommend this flash drive, plain and simple.
It's encrypted by a user-supplied combination 4 - 10 numbers in length, and setting up the PIN is incredibly easy in the instruction manual. Locking and unlocking is also very easy. To unlock, just press the 'key' icon, enter your combo, then press the key icon again and you're ready to plug it into a USB socket. A flashing green light intuitively hints that it's ready to use once you've entered in the right combo. To lock it up again, simply remove it from the USB socket - it's now powered off and locked. Easy.
I have another secured USB stick, a JetFlash fingerprint model made by either Kingston or Transcend (I can't remember which but it doesn't matter now). While that product is very secure like this one, it's cumbersome to use and not ideal for quick, on-the-go file transfers. The JetFlash has a built in fingerprint scanner, and it doesn't get much more secure than that. The problem with that device is the way in which it implements that security feature. The JetFlash requires you to install software on your desktop/laptop which handles the encryption duties. The fingerprint reader is there simply for identification. The USB flash drive itself doesn't seem to port information, which was quite odd to me as it's 2GB in capacity. Rather than store and encrypt your files on the USB device, the software instead locks down files or entire folders on your machine's HDD. This makes encypting/decrypting and accessing files time-consuming. You have to plug in the device, run your finger over the reader, and then you are granted access to the software features. Now, finally, you're able to decrypt files or encrypt. The software itself is actually rather quick and snappy, and it usually only takes a few tries for it to get a positive read on your fingerprint, but I'd much rather have the USB stick hold the actual files like the Padlock2.
This is why this Corsair product outshines devices like those. This is truly portable with no ties to a machine other than simply wanting to view the files. There's no software to install here. It's easily unlocked and locked, and it's going to be pretty secure with all that encryption as well as the combo lock. It's got a nice lanyard included with a spring-loaded clip.
There seems to be no faults here, only positive attributes. The flash drive itself is encased in a synthetic, shock-absorbing rubber compound of some sort. I also own a 4GB Corsair Survivor flash drive which has a very durable, water-resistant Aluminum shell protecting it. While the Padlock2 is obviously not waterproof, I'd bet money this could stand up to more shock than the Survivor. And Corsair even managed to make it look good. This flash drive, to me, gets a 10/10!
It's encrypted by a user-supplied combination 4 - 10 numbers in length, and setting up the PIN is incredibly easy in the instruction manual. Locking and unlocking is also very easy. To unlock, just press the 'key' icon, enter your combo, then press the key icon again and you're ready to plug it into a USB socket. A flashing green light intuitively hints that it's ready to use once you've entered in the right combo. To lock it up again, simply remove it from the USB socket - it's now powered off and locked. Easy.
I have another secured USB stick, a JetFlash fingerprint model made by either Kingston or Transcend (I can't remember which but it doesn't matter now). While that product is very secure like this one, it's cumbersome to use and not ideal for quick, on-the-go file transfers. The JetFlash has a built in fingerprint scanner, and it doesn't get much more secure than that. The problem with that device is the way in which it implements that security feature. The JetFlash requires you to install software on your desktop/laptop which handles the encryption duties. The fingerprint reader is there simply for identification. The USB flash drive itself doesn't seem to port information, which was quite odd to me as it's 2GB in capacity. Rather than store and encrypt your files on the USB device, the software instead locks down files or entire folders on your machine's HDD. This makes encypting/decrypting and accessing files time-consuming. You have to plug in the device, run your finger over the reader, and then you are granted access to the software features. Now, finally, you're able to decrypt files or encrypt. The software itself is actually rather quick and snappy, and it usually only takes a few tries for it to get a positive read on your fingerprint, but I'd much rather have the USB stick hold the actual files like the Padlock2.
This is why this Corsair product outshines devices like those. This is truly portable with no ties to a machine other than simply wanting to view the files. There's no software to install here. It's easily unlocked and locked, and it's going to be pretty secure with all that encryption as well as the combo lock. It's got a nice lanyard included with a spring-loaded clip.
There seems to be no faults here, only positive attributes. The flash drive itself is encased in a synthetic, shock-absorbing rubber compound of some sort. I also own a 4GB Corsair Survivor flash drive which has a very durable, water-resistant Aluminum shell protecting it. While the Padlock2 is obviously not waterproof, I'd bet money this could stand up to more shock than the Survivor. And Corsair even managed to make it look good. This flash drive, to me, gets a 10/10!
very nice device . people who travel or just need to have their private info with them secure and safe will appreciate this device.
It has enough storage space and is well defended against hackers. I managed to reduce several boxes of paper to nothing with just using one corsair padlock. It is safer and much cheaper to have documents stored on this device than keep files and boxes of hard copies.
Only problem I have encountered was consolidation of the documents from different sources. It would be great if the company included a file synchronization software on the device.
It has enough storage space and is well defended against hackers. I managed to reduce several boxes of paper to nothing with just using one corsair padlock. It is safer and much cheaper to have documents stored on this device than keep files and boxes of hard copies.
Only problem I have encountered was consolidation of the documents from different sources. It would be great if the company included a file synchronization software on the device.
Works great keeps things safe . Had one of my email accounts hacked and because I used the same password for other sites - it was a nightmare getting back all the accounts and then not know what the hacker got in terms of personal information was troubling. So I changed every password to something different - but how the heck to you keep track of different passwords for every account - the solution Excel spreadsheet and the Padlock 2!
I carry the Padlock 2 everywhere (and don't have the lint problem mentioned above), it contains an excel spreadsheet with all my passwords for various sites. Works like a charm between home, work, laptop, etc.
There is a minor security glitch, you have to do a 'reset' the first time otherwise getting into the drive is as simple as pushing a few buttons - but once you do the 'reset' described on the Corsair website you are secure and don't have to do it again.
I also now store my Norton login/password file (I use Norton 360) on the Padlock 2 -- and thats even better now that info is automatically entered. No more IE storing my account info locally, its all on the Padlock 2!
I carry the Padlock 2 everywhere (and don't have the lint problem mentioned above), it contains an excel spreadsheet with all my passwords for various sites. Works like a charm between home, work, laptop, etc.
There is a minor security glitch, you have to do a 'reset' the first time otherwise getting into the drive is as simple as pushing a few buttons - but once you do the 'reset' described on the Corsair website you are secure and don't have to do it again.
I also now store my Norton login/password file (I use Norton 360) on the Padlock 2 -- and thats even better now that info is automatically entered. No more IE storing my account info locally, its all on the Padlock 2!
Mini-Safe . So far this is very easy. I had no difficulty with any of the steps and will continue to add information to this mini-safe.
Cons Review
Serious security defect in Corsair Padlock . I bought 6 of these secure USB memory devices. One of them had an interesting experience. It went through the washer in a pocket. When it came out the password was not needed to get to the "secure encrypted" data. Having the password protection disappear is bad enough but getting the data exposed is a BIG SECURITY VULNERABILITY.
About a week later another of the Corsair Padlock drive's data was accessible (without entering a password and without washing it).
--- updated a week later ---
Corsair responded, appreciating being notified of the bug, and in what is an unusual move, published a detailed workaround on their web site. It is at
[...].
Based on their heads-up analysis of the situation and quick technical response I recommend their product and will continue using it. Note that the web commentary about easily defeating the encryption of the Corsair Padlock relates to a previous design, not the Padlock 2.
About a week later another of the Corsair Padlock drive's data was accessible (without entering a password and without washing it).
--- updated a week later ---
Corsair responded, appreciating being notified of the bug, and in what is an unusual move, published a detailed workaround on their web site. It is at
[...].
Based on their heads-up analysis of the situation and quick technical response I recommend their product and will continue using it. Note that the web commentary about easily defeating the encryption of the Corsair Padlock relates to a previous design, not the Padlock 2.
requires administrator rights . Great idea. However it requires administrator rights, which means I can't use it on my PC at work. I can use it fine at home, but even though my work PC recognizes it, it won't allow me to open it or copy files to it, saying I don't have the necessary permission, even though the drive is unlocked (as I said it works fine on my own PC). This means that the drive is useless for any public computer too, like libraries, hotels, businesses, etc, because these are usually set up to deny the public user administrator rights. I emailed customer support and they had no solution, only told me to make sure I enter my PIN correctly (duh). Sad to have to return it.
7 weeks old - died . Worked for 7 weeks just as advertised. Then mutliple computers will not read it. Don't waste your money. Seriously !
Product Image
Feature Corsair Padlock Secure 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFPLA8GB
- User customizable 4-10 digit personal identification number to lock and unlock
- Built-in hacking detection locks device for 2 minutes after 5 failed attempts
- Secure 256-bit hardware AES encryption
- Durable rubber, shock-proof housing
- 10 Year Warranty
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Product Details
EAN : 5052461677111UPC : 843591007283
MPN : 0843591007283
Brand : Corsair
Weight : 1 pounds
Height : 2 inches
Length : 6 inches
Width : 4 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : CMFPLA8GB
Publisher : Corsair
SKU : SOSOSO 03 - 31.71 - Artikelnr W92703
Studio : Corsair
Where To Buy
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