[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Speaking of hard disk encryption...
Anyone out there have any experience with SafeBoot(tm) from SmartDisk
Security Corporation?
Here's what you get in the mail when you call them for info:
[disclaimer: I am not accociated with SmartDisk Security Corporation]
--------------
SafeBoot - The SmartDisk PC Security System
- SafeBoot is an extremely secure and easy-to-use access control system
for the personal computer.
- SafeBoot is the first access control system to use the SmartDisk. It is
the only hardware-based PC security system that is suitable for all PC's
including notebooks and portables.
- SafeBoot provides two factor access control; your PC cannot be used
unless it is booted from your SmartDisk and your SmartDisk password is
entered at the SafeBoot log-on screen.
- SafeBoot keeps your data confidential and protects your computer from
unauthorized users.
EASY TO USE
SafeBoot is simple to install and easy to use. During installation
SafeBoot generates a unique encryption key, stores it one your SmartDisk
and encrypts your PC's hard disk using this key.
The next time you want to use your PC, you simply boot your PC from your
SmartDisk. The SafeBoot log-on screen will appear and will prompt you to
enter your SmartDisk password. If you enter the correct password, your
computer will start-up as normal. You can then remove your SmartDisk and
forget that SafeBoot is installed, as it will not interfere in any way
with the normal operation of your computer.
SafeBoot will work with all disk utility tools and compression software,
including Norton SpeedDisk and MicroSoft DoubleSpace.
DATA ENCRYPTION AND BOOT PROTECTION
When you boot your computer using your SmartDisk and enter your password,
SafeBoot will read the encryption key held on the SmartDisk into the PC's
memory. SafeBoot will then transparently encrypt and decrypt all hard
disk accesses until you switch off or reboot your PC.
Unlike most software-based PC security systems, that have to store the
encryption key on the hard disk itself, SafeBoot uses the SmartDisk to
store the key. By doing this, SafeBoot prevents unauthorized users from
using low level PC recovery tools to discover the key, and 'undo' the hard
disk protection.
FULL OR PARTIAL HARD DISK ENCRYPTION
You can choose how much of your hard disk SafeBoot will encrypt. For most
purposes 'partial encryption' is more than adequate and is very quick to
install. 'Partial encryption' encrypts the structure of the data on your
hard disk - the information which MS-DOS uses to find the files and
directories.
'Full encryption' takes a little longer to install, but will protect all
of your data against even the most determined hacker.
BOOT SECTOR VIRUS DETECTION
Software-based virus protection products cannot prevent your computer from
'catching' a boot sector virus. Boot sector viruses can also be the most
difficult type of PC virus to detect, as they are loaded into memory
before any virus detection software can be run. Once loaded, a virus can
pretend that the boot sector has not been modified, thus prevent itself
from being detected.
Because SafeBoot runs before the PC's boot sector is loaded it can detect
boot sector viruses that otherwise hide themselves from virus detection
software.
THE SMARTDISK
Although the SmartDisk looks like a 3.5" floppy disk and fits into a
normal floppy disk drive, it is not a floppy disk. It is actually a
hardware device with its own microprocessor that provides secure, password
protected storage.
The SmartDisk differs from all other hardware PC security solutions, for
example, a smartcard, because it needs no special readers, extra circuit
boards, or power supplies, and no connectors or cables. The SmartDisk
operates in a standard PC 3.5" diskette drive without modification to the
drive or the PC.
SmartDisk directly enhances protection of the PC's data by retaining the
encryption key, the password, and the encryption algorithm - none of which
remains resident on the PC. This ensures that the SafeBoot software is
run before any other software is loaded on the PC, thus enabling SafeBoot
to verify system integrity before continuing to load your PC's operating
system.
LOST SMARTDISK OR FORGOTTEN PASSWORD
When SafeBoot is installed, it creates a backup of your encryption key on
the SafeBoot system disk. If you forget your password, of lose your
SmartDisk, you can use this floppy disk to remove SafeBoot.
SECURING MULTIPLE PCs WITH ONE SMARTDISK
A single SmartDisk can be used to secure any number of PCs without
incremental cost. SafeBoot will generate a unique key for your SmartDisk
the first time that SafeBoot is installed, but will allow you to use the
same key for subsequent installations.
SAFEBOOT FOR CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS
Various utilities are available to facilitate the installation and
management of SmartDisks and SafeBoot encryption keys within large
organizations.
SmartDisk Security Corporation
4073 Mercantile Ave
Naples, Florida, USA 33942
(813) 263-3475 voice
(813) 643-6357 FAX
-----------------
[email protected]