Encrypted USB 256 AES

[lmartinefc]

Hi

How secure are these drives? Are they easy to crack? I have a few bank accounts and unique details, software scripts and IP I need to save. Don't want it sat on my HDD but don't use it often. Are the 256 AES drives secure. Here is the product I had in mind

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/218434

Discussion welcome...

 

[lmartinefc]

Hmmm....did a little digging. Seems even AES 128 is safe until 2031 by all estimates as we do not have enough computing power

"a computing cluster that enveloped the entire earth to a height of one metre high would still require 1,000 years on average to recover a 128-bit key."

http://lukenotricks.blogspot.com/2010/04/aes-128-versus-aes-256-encryption.html

 

[huron]

AES at 256 is quite secure these days, and will be for some time to come. As you found, AES 128 is still good, but I don't know if the 2031 estimate is legit - it's hard to determine computing power, etc until that point.

If you are that concerned, you could look at products like these:

https://www.ironkey.com/

They are pretty impressive, but a bit costly just the same.

 

[lmartinefc]

Think the £10 should be ok, can't see anybody cracking AES 256. Guess the only let down will be if the software on the dongle isn't up to scratch. Maybe the ironkey is overkill?

Thanks

 

[huron]

The Ironkey is pretty much overkill for most. It's expensive, but it hardware encrypted, instead of software, so you'll have to determine if that's worth it for you or not.

I think you'll be just fine with what you chose. If it gets broken in a few years, there will probably be some new, great, cheaper, bigger version of the flash drive with encryption too.

 

[jefe323]

256 AES is safe (for now)

you shouldn't run into any security problems with it