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March 31, 2008

Alternative to VPN: IronKey's Secure Network

By Glenn Fleishman

TechRepublic notes some interesting features in IronKey’s secure USB drive: The IronKey is a seriously secure device, designed with a variety of physical, hardware, and software elements that make it as unhackable as possible: it’s got its own hardware encryption chip built in, uses robust flash memory, and can sense physical intrusion. But it’s got one more element that Selena Frye highlighted in a recent column: secure browsing.

IronKey runs its own network of secure, anonymous servers that mask your identity. You can choose to change your exit point with a click, and keep track of throughput in case a given link is slowing you down. The IronKey plug-in for Firefox, invoked with a click, also stores all settings and caches on the flash drive.

Like Frye, I have long wanted to recommend an option for people who already use SSL/TLS protection for their email service, and don’t need a VPN. IronKey appears to be the right recommendation.

IronKey works right now just with Windows XP and Vista, but their FAQ states they are are working on Mac and Linux components. IronKey comes in 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4GB configurations for $79, $109, and $149, respectively, including a year of “Internet protection,” which covers secure browsing and a few other features. There’s no information on the cost of the subscription fee after the first year, a notable omission.

Posted by Glennf at March 31, 2008 2:26 PM

Categories: Road Warrior, Security

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