Imation Personal S200 flash drive powered by IronKey

The IronKey Personal S200, now called the Imation Personal S200 flash drive powered by IronKey, represents the most secure portable storage device currently available. Originally created for military use, the S200 was the first USB drive to reach Level 3 FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard), a step up over its predecessors. Other features include an option to unlock files in read-only mode as well as a more user-friendly password manager. The drive itself is as tough as ever and attempts to breach its brushed metal exterior results in destruction of your data, as will 10 incorrect password attempts. The S200's secure web browsing feature allows the user to peruse the Internet without leaving a trace on the host computer but can slow Internet access a bit. The downside is that the Imation Personal S200 is prohibitively expensive.

There are a few alternatives. The Corsair Flash Padlock 2 doesn't meet the same standards of self-destruction in case of tampering, but it's also $45 for 16 GB and still has external buttons for PIN access. The Kingston DataTraveler Locker+ is cheaper yet, at $26 for 16 GB, though it lacks the external buttons. It also receives high user review ratings. If you want a durable drive but don't need data security, consider the Corsair Flash Survivor USB 3.0 (*Est. $55 for 32 GB) .

We found the most thorough review of the Imation/IronKey S200 at PCMag.com, complete with lab tests and a slideshow. PC World (Australia) also puts the drive through its paces, while TheGadgeteer.com offers an overview and a walkthrough of the setup process. The small number of owner reviews available at Amazon.com also show a high level of satisfaction with the IronKey's performance.