The folks at Kingston have sent us the USB DataTraveler Locker+16GB, which they designed a Hi-speed 256 AES encrypted USB Flash Drive. The Locker+ is part of a large family of protective USB products ranging from a simple Mini slim to the Vault edition, all providing a variety of sizes from 4-32GB. It all depends on your budget and your Data protection needs. Kingston's DataTraveler® Locker Flash drive is designed for people and organizations that require a secure way to store and transfer data. And what makes this so special? It's tough, waterproof, and hi-speed.
So the people at Kingston won't like this next part but I have a new method of testing how tough a flash drive is. I handed it to a 2yr old and let him go to town. What better way to see if it can survive in the wrong hands than letting a 2 yrs play with it for a day? After wiping off the drool and the food particles the USB plugged in with no problems. Aside from being tough it has storage requirements -4° to 185° F (-20° to 85° C) and has Operating limits 32° to 140° F (0° to 60° C). Once you plug it in, a Data Protection software loads and asks you a few questions like Name, Organization, Description, Password, and Hint. Every time after that, when you plug it in the flash drive, it will load the Kingston software and ask for a password.
What's in the box:
- DataTraveler Locker USB Flash Drive
- Key Chain hoop
- Warranty pamphlet
The Bang:
It's fast and with the option to buy a flash as large as 32GB encrypted, that opens up a lot of variety. The Locker+ is 100% encrypted zone meaning there is no common area for anyone to sneak on the drive. It's a simple plug and play with a clean-no installation required software. Well the most important feature for me is it only gives you 10 tries to get in, after that, lockdown/reformat.
The Slack:
It's a bit pricey. Kingston does give you many options, but after a certain point the price is mostly for business/govt. use. Also, when I first plugged it in, it kept asking me to restart my PC since, it couldn't recognize the flash drive. That was annoying.
Kingston's DataTraveler Locker+ is good and they have a large family in the Data Traveler series from a mini slim, low level data encryption to a James bond level security with the Vault edition, all with the addition of a 5yr warranty and 24/7 Tech support. Out of TOV 5 stars I give the DataLocker+ a TOV 3 out of 5 for being Rugged and secure.