Security

One thing I wasn't so crazy about with Corsair's drive is the fact that it uses TrueCrypt, a free, open-source encryption software, that must be set up once you plug in the drive. I don't have issues with TrueCrypt itself -- I like open-source software and it uses the highly-secure 256-bit AES encryption algorithm -- but it's software based and not hardware based. In software-based encryption, the keys are placed in the device's memory, so someone with expertise trying to access the keys will know where to look for them by their unique format and can target them for a brute-force attack. In hardware-based encryption, the key never leaves the hardware device, thus you can't access them by simply looking at the device's memory. Even so, chances are slim that whoever steals or finds your lost encrypted drive will be an expert in hacking security keys. Also, Corsair's version of TrueCrypt is compatible only with Windows XP and 2000.

You can launch TrueCrypt by double-clicking the file TrueCrypt.exe or by clicking the TrueCrypt shortcut in your Windows Start menu. One of the nice things about TrueCrypt is that it offers various methods for creating volumes, which range from those appropriate to beginners (a single encrypted file) to encrypting only the partition or drive where Windows is running, which forces anyone trying to access data created by the operating system to enter a password each time the computer is booted. You can also simply encrypt the entire drive.

TrueCrypt also allows you to choose the size of the volume to be encrypted in either kilobytes or megabytes. This is a nice feature for reserving disk space for specific tasks, such as encrypting a small contact list, personal medical data, or bigger files with photos or video, while at the same time leaving other files on the drive in the clear.

I created a 1GB volume with TrueCrypt. It took about one and a half minutes to generate. I then ran a speed test to the volume by downloading a 1GB folder with 303 files made up mostly by high-resolution photographs and half-dozen small videos. That took four minutes and 30 seconds. It was roughly the same amount of time it took to download the same folder onto the IronKey drive.

I found it interesting that the "GT" model of the Flash Voyager only comes in as 16GB model, while the standard Flash Voyager comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models. The company did not readily offer an explanation for that, though I suspect they figured that if someone wants the added speed of this device, they'll likely be downloading a lot of files. Corsair's Flash Voyager GT has the competition beat on price. A 16GB Flash Voyager GT retails for just US$169.00, while a 4GB IronKey Secure Flash Drive lists for US$149. But, keep in mind that you're paying for SLC memory and a higher level of security with the IronKey.

The Flash Voyager and Flash Voyager GT are enclosed all-rubber housing, which makes the drive water-resistant and also gives it a nonslip, comfortable feel.

The Flash Voyager GT is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME, Linux 2.4 and later, and Mac OS 9 X. The drive is also ReadyBoost compatible, which means you can boot your Windows PC off the drive. Like most quality flash drives these days, it also comes with a sturdy lanyard and a USB extension cable.

Overall, I think the Flash Voyager is an extremely fast, quality flash drive that's easy to use, has good security, and is very inexpensive compared to competing products.