• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

USB Flash Drives with Write Protect Switches

rat

rat

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
4,915
I figure this might be the best thread for this sort of thing.

I'm trying to track down USB flash drives that are still made with HARDWARE write protect switches on them (software write protection isn't good enough)...

Recently it seems only Kanguru still makes them. Unfortunately, they're quite (relatively) expensive with 8GB sticks still selling for about $40.

I find it hard to believe it would still be that much of a niche product (I remember seeing thumbdrives with switches all the time when they were in the 16-128MB capacities as standard) so wondering if anyone else has any leads for reliable and more reasonably priced sticks.
 
I got myself an Imation Clip after finding the following site.

http://www.fencepost.net/2010/03/usb-flash-drives-with-hardware-write-protection/

From my experience the write protect switch on the Clip is recessed and difficult to access without a small jewellers screwdriver. The switch is not labelled to indicate when it is in write protect mode. I also find the rubber case with the carabiner kinda dodgy and dont trust myself to carry the USB drive.

I don't like ragging on Imation for this as so few companies make write protected USB drives. If I were to buy again, I might investigate the Kanguru. The cost of these write protected flash drives is much higher than need be, but we just have to suck it up in order to get the added functionality.
 
Last edited:
The site pretty much confirms what I've suspected, unfortunately. There just isn't many write-protectable models out there.

I picked up a Kanguru FlashBlu2 about two years ago and it's been great, but was hoping by now I'd pay less than I did then for the 4GB model. Prices have actually gone UP. ($21 then, $30 now.)
 
The ironkey's read only mode, despite being set in software, is probably about as good as any of the hardware switches out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top