question about encryption on Western Digital's Passport II drives

randeesha · 4 Jan 2007 at 20:31

hi, can anyone explain how the encryption process takes place on Passport II pocket drives by Western Digital? I'm curious to find out (potential customer here). I know encryption methods and how it works, I would like to find out if there is a software included/pre-loaded in the drive or it comes on a cd or if it's stored in a sort of cmos chip or what else.. who's the maker of the software if any..
or if Passport just requires a password to access the drive..
I would like to know how the encryption operates on the Passport II drive.
if anyone has this product pls comment.. OCUK sells them quite cheap but there is no explaination anywhere of the encryption feature.
Thank you.

Massive Attack · 4 Jan 2007 at 22:57

90% of the time most removable devices have software incryption that comes on a disc and has to be installed on every machine u use the drive on

randeesha · 4 Jan 2007 at 23:37

Cheers MassiveAttack, so there must be a small software for the Passport II drives also.. in that case I shall just use PGP to encrypt the content then, I thought it could be a more sophisticated feature like built-in in the hardware in the form of a chip. No wonder why even on WD's website they don't bother highlighting and describe it as they do with the main features (power stingy, shockproof...etc).

Massive Attack · 5 Jan 2007 at 14:19

randeesha said:
Cheers MassiveAttack, so there must be a small software for the Passport II drives also.. in that case I shall just use PGP to encrypt the content then, I thought it could be a more sophisticated feature like built-in in the hardware in the form of a chip. No wonder why even on WD's website they don't bother highlighting and describe it as they do with the main features (power stingy, shockproof...etc).

you could look at r=the Lacie hard drives whcih have fingerprint encryption

randeesha · 5 Jan 2007 at 16:12

thank you, I tend to like WD's because they are nice and compact but I'll have a look now at those Lacie's, thanks again.

randeesha · 5 Jan 2007 at 16:32

actually, not a very good idea. If it was like fingerprint recognition plus passphrase that would have been ok, for sensitive data like stored passwords, account numbers, bank details, important emails or docs one just can't rely on a biometric "password" that can be easily gotten (advertised in my hands), I rather prefer the passphrase alone then.

And apart from that, just a bit of general info, fingerprints can be cloned just like retinas.

but I do like the Lego shaped "mobile"drives by LaCie though.