Aegis Bio grows to 640GB of fingerprint-protected storage
By Vlad Savov 
posted July 15th 2010 8:44AM
posted July 15th 2010 8:44AM
Apricorn specializes in the fine art of making people believe their data is worth stealing and charging them for the privilege of protecting it. Its Aegis Bio range has now been expanded, both in number and in capacity, as the former ceiling of 250GB has been lifted with the introduction of 320GB, 500GB and 640GB variants. The 2.5-inch external disk validates user identity with that handy fingerprint scanner on top before allowing access to the otherwise 128-bit encrypted precious stuff within it. Prices of the new models top out at $160 for the most voluminous one, making them thrifty enough to buy even if you don't need secret agent-level security -- which, let's face it, you don't. Full PR after the break. NEW from Apricorn: Larger Capacity Aegis Bio 640GB, Encrypted Biometric Drive Allows Secure Access with the Touch of a Finger
POWAY, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Apricorn (http://www.apricorn.com), the leader in personal storage, today announced a NEW larger 640GB capacity to their Aegis Bio product line, a hardware-encrypted biometric hard drive that allows users to securely access their files with the swipe of a finger. Offering unparalleled security with a 1-2 punch, the Aegis Bio's biometric fingerprint sensor restricts unauthorized access to the drive while the Bio's real-time 128-bit AES hardware encryption protects all data on the drive - even if the drive is dismantled. With prices for the new 640GB capacity retailing at just $159, the Aegis Bio's cutting-edge security is an affordable solution for both large and small companies alike as they grapple with the problem of keeping their data safe.
"With several of the largest data breaches of 2010 involving lost or stolen portable storage devices, the need for secure portable storage has never been greater," said Mike McCandless, VP of Sales and Marketing at Apricorn. "As more employees take their work on the road or between home and office, companies are looking for secure ways to keep their proprietary and customer data safe, and the Aegis Bio delivers on this need."
The Aegis Bio incorporates multiple layers of protection into its compact, rugged design, starting with hardware-based Biometric protection with UPEK's(R) TouchStrip(TM) Fingerprint Sensor. This state-of-the-art Digital ID Hardware Engine allows access to the Aegis Bio via a simple swipe of your finger. The Aegis Bio can also securely log in to your favorite sites with UPEK's Protector Suite(TM) Token software: a great feature as employees work with more accounts online. By using your fingerprint to login to your favorite sites, your sensitive login data is protected from malicious key logging programs, giving an added layer of protection.
Once your fingerprint is registered, the Aegis Bio can be used on any USB-equipped computer, making it the perfect option for taking sensitive data between work and home. All data on the drive is protected with real-time 128-bit AES hardware encryption via an Oxford Semiconductor(R) storage controller chip, meaning that even if the fingerprint sensor is bypassed, the data on the drive remains impenetrable.
"With portable drives needing to carry more personal data, the move to carry a higher capacity was a natural one," said Michelle Fischer, Marketing Manager. "Our customers communicated a need for larger capacities with our biometric encrypted drives so we made sure that we were able to respond to that need. As our secure hard drive line becomes standardized for many of our corporate and government customers, the ability to grow with their capacity needs is an important one."
In addition to biometric security and hardware encryption, the bus-powered Aegis Bio features an integrated USB 2.0 cable (eliminating the need to carry around bulky USB cables), an auxiliary power Y-cable, software CD, a neoprene travel pouch and Quick Start Guide.
Availability and Pricing
Apricorn's Aegis Bio is currently available for purchase at resellers throughout the U.S., Canada and online at http://www.apricorn.com
For more information on Aegis Bio go to http://www.apricorn.com/aegisbio
Luv it.
But our data is a risk! The Chinese Government is trying to steal our secrets! D:
Keep your porn safe from your wife! She'll never find out! Brilliant!
@allenrotstein
if your wife cares enough she'll just tear that finger off :P
Do these drives prevent against the hard drive being removed and booted up elsewhere? (I understand that you may have to crack the case.)
@NHAnimator
Well the data is encrypted, so that won't help.
@BSprague
Ah yes. I misread that in the article. Thx.
Do they honestly want to claim that 128Bit encryption is safe?
There may be different algorithms with different strengths - but I wouldn't use that against anything but a hobby hacker.
Apparently the Indian intelligence service has cracked the BlackBerry's 256Bit encryption - but I don't know which algorithm it uses - that was in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks - however there is no official word on that.
Still - 128Bit encryptions have been cracked - 3G for example - so I'd not actually count on that drive keeping anything safe from anybody except hobby hackers.
@DetlevCM Not like anyone whos gonna be buying this needs heavy encryption, itd just be to keep family, friends etc, out. Any governments or anything that needed higher encryption wouldnt be buying something like this, and itd keep a large majority of people out...
@DetlevCM: Unless this thing is FIPS compliant, it's worthless to me, too.
@Brodie
Then they should market it as a home device - and not boast how secure it is.
And the average home user can use something like TrueCrypt on a normal drive which is much cheaper - the normal HDD costs maybe half or less and TrueCrypt itself is free.
Also - would you really buy such an expensive HDD if the encryption is only useful for home use?
@Eli Haj
The average home user might not have something interesting on him too often - but this isn't marketed as a home device.
And you wouldn't need to be a "super hacker".
A mathematician with some decent coding knowledge should be enough :)
And once you come to the company level you'll find that data might be far more valuable than you'd have though - and this isn't marketed as a home device - instead they are going on about how secure it is... - when it isn't.
On that note - I just found its 128Bit AES - 7-Zip uses 256Bit AES if you encrypt your file... -> more secure already.
Fingerprint scanning is great, but it would be better if it accepted both this and a user-defined code (pin code). Of course, this can always be configured with a password protected encrypted partition, though at lesser convenience.
This is great tech, and the design is nice, functional and compact.
Fingerprint scanners have been easily defeated before...in fact, didn't they even do that on Mythbusters? With a company who claimed they had the most secure fingerprint lock in the world? Lol.
so THATS where Apple keeps all the bad PR!
Sweet, so, now we can leave our passwords on everything we touch.
My next portable hard drive will have this feature, brilliant.