gawguy Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 So...we read about wear-leveling that is used in flash drives and that causes them to not be fully erasable. I have photos, legal but embarassing, that I sometimes put on. I use a small flash capacity flash stick on purpose because then I fill it 100% with every-day photos. Then I erase those. Does that address the wear-leveling issue or not? I also understand that one can encrypt the files or the whole flash drive and that is effective. Comments, lads?? Thanks, GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I would write 400% with random data and then format. Review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlton68 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 The probably most easy way would be to create a private zone on the stick. That way you don't have to erase or overwrite the files. Lots of sticks which do bring their own security software. This protects the files after and before deletion. This is, of course, unless someone forces you to disclose the password. The way you do it makes it almost impossible to retrieve your artfull pictures, so no worries if you continue that way. A better way to wipe the stick would be the freeware tool eraser (actually lots of tools that can do the trick). delete all data on the stick and then use eraser to erase the empty space. Three times overwrite is more than enough. Acronis True Image does include a tool named DriveCleanser. Will do the trick as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCorinthian Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 If you use a mac you can use disk utility to make a 256bit encrypted file for your photos. It would take the NSA to crack that one. Then just move the file to your USB and you are safe. Just dont forget the pass word!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamokhamok Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Carlton, Hi. Is there a name to the software that can be used to make a private portion on a USB device (stick or external HDD). Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamui Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 Try Truecrypt, it's open source and often recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlton68 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Yes, TrueCrypt is a very good software. If I am not mistaken it has to be installed on the computer one wishes to open the protected files/partitions. It might not be the best option when one thinks about portable media like USB sticks and external drives. Hamok, I have seen a few programs, always came with the USB stick. Some will only accept sticks from the same brand,some even only sticks from the same model. Won't work with other sticks. I have not put much thought in this. If someone knows of a program that creates private zones on any stick that would be nice. One that doesn't require installing it on the comuter first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Carlton (and GawGuy), have you seen the IronKey? Ridiculously expensive (US$149 for 4Gb), but does all you want. Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manaomaiminam Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Universal Shield by Everstrike, though not free, does encryption, etc, on external USB devices for a lot less. Also, lots of options to protect files on standard internal devices. It has been one of my products of choice for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 If I am reading the website correctly, it looks like that is the same as TrueCrypt and others, in that you need the proggie running on a computer to access the data. The IronKey uses hardware encryption, so you can use it at an internet cafe and still be protected. Hence the price. EDIT: and being a US company, don't they have to build in a back door so that the FBI or whatever can get at your data? TrueCrypt is European and does nto fall under that clause. I think I remember reading about that, anyway -- someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Of course, IronKey is also a US company, so has the same limitation, eh? Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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