What is this?
The 256MB flash drive with fingerprint authentication can encrypt up to 10 different thumbprints, 200 website logins and all your bookmarks. Replacing passwords with fingerprints is a life-saver when you need to access secure websites when there's possibility that a keystroke recorder may be in place. Though, the TouchGuard is for IE6 only.
Pros: Fingerprint authentication; strong encryption; relatively inexpensive with the built-in biometric functionality.
Cons: Website login authentication available only to Internet Explorer; encryption method lacks flexibility.
Verdict: The Lexar JumpDrive TouchGuard's fingerprint authentication is a nice security add-on to the Hi-Speed USB flash drive. Had it come with a more responsive software, broader browser support and flexible encryption method, it would be perfect companion to road warriors.
Lexar JumpDrive TouchGuard has taken the hassle out of remembering passwords. The Hi-Speed USB flash drive, coupled with a biometric fingerprint reader, allows you to control access to encrypted data, bookmarks and website logins with the convenience of a finger swipe.
Fingers Sweeping The JumpDrive TouchGuard measures at 3.4" x 0.92" x 0.48", which is comparable to a Sandisk Cruzer Titanium in size. The 256MB flash drive is wrapped around with a rubberized band that protects the Fujitsu MBF310 sweep sensor underneath and that attaches permanently to the cap. The loophole is also on the cap, but there is no provision of a lanyard. Lexar did bundle a 2 ft. USB extension cable, and provided a very thorough flash tutorial detailing everything for a layman.
To get started, you first have to install the TouchGuard software on either Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP1 or later. The PC hosting the software is the only machine you can save website logins, which will be discussed later. Register a fingerprint involves three steps: (1) selecting a finger; (2) sweeping it several times across the sensor for accurate read of its unique pattern; (3) entering a master password which can override the fingerprint if necessary. Then you have the option to repeat the first two steps to register up to ten fingerprints.
However, people with skin problem such as "housewife's eczema" may have difficulties registering their fingerprints. This may attribute to the dead skin or uneven surface that prevents an accurate read.
TouchGuard Remembers Everything After completing the registration, you'll see a dashboard listing Auto Login, My Favorites, Encrypt/Decrypt, User Profile and Settings as well as the free space left. Perhaps the most useful is the Auto Login, which remembers up to 200 logins of different websites.
Say, if you want to store Gmail user name and password, you must open the webmail login page with Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 and then click on the AutoLogin icon in the toolbar. You will be prompted to enter the name of the profile. In order for TouchGuard to fill in the password for you in Gmail, simply go back to the TouchGuard dashboard and select the same profile name. This is particularly useful should you afraid some keystroke recorders could spy on your passwords.
Next on the menu is "My Favorites" that allows you to transfer IE bookmarks to the JumpDrive TouchGuard. "Encrypt/Decrypt" is pretty self-explanatory, except you are limited to encrypting a single or multiple files, but not a folder. Even though the software does 256-bit AES, the JumpDrive Secure is better in handling this task where files are encrypted and decrypted seamlessly in the background inside a private partition.
While everything worked according to the spec sheet, the Auto Login button disappeared from Internet Explorer in other PCs so we had to install TouchGuard software before we could save website logins. Another minor disappointment is the lack of responsiveness of the dashboard, which hopefully will get patched later.
Performance
Backed by a two-year warranty, the JumpDrive TouchGuard is not exactly a speed demon, but we confirmed transfer rate lives up to the specifications at 12MB/s read and close to 6MB/s for large files (64MB). Though, it lagged behind others when the Hi-Speed USB flash drive fell to just 1.9MB/s and 317KB/s during 256KB and 32KB file tests. Nevertheless, the flash drive should not take long to fill up its 256MB, a rather small capacity in today's standard.
Sandra 2005 Benchmark Results
Combined Index : 1446 operation(s)/min
Endurance Factor : 9.2
512B Files Test : 1742 operation(s)/min
32kB Files Test : 1575 operation(s)/min
256kB Files Test : 1019 operation(s)/min
2MB Files Test : 246 operation(s)/min
64MB Files Test : 9 operation(s)/min
Performance Test Status
Run ID : YOUR-EF77GZTJ0E on Friday, 7 January, 2005 at 23:13:08
SMP Test : No
Total Test Threads : 1
SMT Test : No
Dynamic MP/MT Load Balance : No
Processor Affinity : No
Extras Lost a USB cable? Get a replacement USB cable.
Running out of USB ports? Get an extra USB hub.
You may need a new USB card to achieve Hi-Speed USB speeds.
Confirm with our USB 2.0 FAQ if you have Hi-Speed USB on your PC.
After completing the registration, you'll see a dashboard listing Auto Login, My Favorites, Encrypt/Decrypt, User Profile and Settings as well as the free space left. Perhaps the most useful is the Auto Login, which remembers up to 200 logins of different websites.
While everything worked according to the spec sheet, the Auto Login button disappeared from Internet Explorer in other PCs so we had to install TouchGuard software before we could save website logins. Another minor disappointment is the lack of responsiveness of the dashboard, which hopefully will get patched later.
