Most Secure Flash Drives

USB flash drives with added security features

The ultimate in USB flash drive security can take many forms. Some manufacturers use biometric fingerprint readers or combination locks to secure data. Others rely on software to encrypt sensitive information, or Internet-based tracking systems to enable remote deletion of the drive's memory in case of theft. Many of these drives end up being dismissed by reviewers as overkill for the average user.

PCMag.com rates the IronKey Personal S200 flash drive (*Est. $170 for 8 GB) at 4 out of 5 points for being tops in security. They note that the tough metal exterior and military-grade security features -- for example, entering 10 incorrect passwords in a row causes the drive to self-destruct -- essentially guarantees the best security for your computer files.

The S200 also has an improved password-management system, an issue with the earlier version. The-Gadgeteer.com notes that the Personal S200 is the only flash drive to have attained Level 3 FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard), and ThinkGeek.com says the IronKey S200 has been used by the U.S. military in Afghanistan. All this security comes with the heftiest price tag of any USB flash drive covered in this report; the IronKey Personal S200 retails at approximately $130 for 4 GB and $170 for 8 GB. The 1 GB model sells for around $65; that's approximately 10 times more expensive per gigabyte than standard flash drives.

USB flash drives with portable applications

USB flash drives with integrated U3 software let you run applications from the drive without leaving evidence on the host computer (except for the U3 software itself). Theoretically, you can use your U3-enabled USB drive on any computer to check email, work or surf the web. U3 may eventually be replaced by a technology called StartKey, which allows USB flash drives to transfer Windows settings to whatever computer the drive is plugged into. However, StartKey, a collaboration between Microsoft and SanDisk that was slated to launch in early 2009, has still not made it to market, and neither company has issued a new release date. U3 remains the closest thing we have to an ultra-portable desktop solution. A Windows 7 version of U3 software is available.

You can't load just any application on a U3 drive -- the software must be optimized. The Firefox web browser is available for U3 drives, but Internet Explorer is not. Mozilla Thunderbird mail is available, but Outlook is not. One of the most useful applications is Skype, which lets you chat or have voice conversations without loading it on the host computer. Some U3 USB drives have preloaded programs, while others prompt you to download U3 software (much of which isn't free). USB drives with U3 are Windows-only, though some sources say they doesn't work on all Windows-based PCs. Another complaint: When you connect the drive to a computer, the U3 software manager automatically loads on the computer, which some users find time-consuming when all they want to do is access their data.  

If you're a student or traveler and you often need to work on computers other than your own, a U3 USB drive should let you run your own applications on any Internet-connected Windows computer. Of U3-enabled models, SanDisk's Ultra Cruzer Titanium (*Est. $100 for 16 GB) is the clear favorite among reviewers. The SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium tops the chart at TopTenReviews.com and is praised for its stylish but tough titanium casing. Editors note that not all of the U3 software comes pre-installed, but may be downloaded for free at the manufacturer's website.

Owner reviews for the Titanium are generally good, but we read some comments about the Titanium's USB connector. When retracted, there's no cover or cap for the device, so the business end of the USB drive is still exposed -- perhaps not the best design if you plan to carry your USB drive in a purse, pocket or briefcase. You can disable the U3 software, but this involves reconfiguring the drive. If you don't plan to run programs off your USB drive, you're probably better off getting a drive without U3 capabilities. This isn't necessarily a fault with the Titanium drive itself, but many users found themselves wishing they'd passed on getting a U3 drive in the first place. The SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium is available in 4 GB (*Est. $40) and 16 GB (*Est. $100).

The SanDisk Extreme Contour and Micro series (1 GB to 16 GB, *Est. $10 to $80) are similar to the Titanium. The Contour is a higher-end line, while the Micro USB flash drives are smaller and not crush-resistant. The Extreme Contour has a lifetime limited warranty. Jeffrey L. Wilson of Laptop Magazine says the Extreme Contour has excellent write speeds and considers the U3 capabilities to be well worth the price, which he admits is a little high.