USB Flash Security

USB Flash Security is free software from Kashu System Design that allows users to protect USB flash drives and mobile devices with password protection and data encryption.

Pros of USB Flash Security

• Easy to use - the interface of the program has a simple tabbed window design, and minimal control buttons, so it's easy to find the commands you need. In addition, the software is programmed so that it will only install itself onto PC drives that have USB access, so operation is nearly foolproof.
• Customizable - users can add a password "hint" of their choice, and decide whether or not to encrypt the protected data for further security.
• Extra-secure features - Various features of the software are meant to provide an extra level of protection; for example, the password field doesn't automatically pop up when someone tries to access the protected drive. Users have to know where to look for it, meaning that thieves may simply not figure out why they can't get access to the data, let alone get close to putting in the right password.
• Informative - A simple menu click shows full details of the USB flash drive in use, including model name and number, size of the drive and space left available, serial number, and required updates.
• Smooth to use - Its compact size means that USB Flash Security uses little system resources to run and doesn't interfere with other programs.

Cons of USB Flash Security

• Data erasure during install - When the software is first installed onto a USB flash drive, the data already on that drive must be erased for the install to work. This makes sense, as the software can't encrypt and protect data that pre-exists its installation to the drive, but it means users must be careful to back up their data elsewhere before adding the protection to a USB drive.
• Directly-translated Help files and documentation - Kashu System Design is a Japanese company, and it seems the Help files of the USB Flash Security suite are either directly translated from another language, or written by someone with a low-level grasp of English, as they're occasionally difficult to understand.
• Limited compatibility - The software is designed for use with PCs only, and does not have a Mac equivalent as of yet. Even Windows users may sometimes run into compatibility issues, depending on which version of Windows they're running; the software sometimes has collisions when working in collusion with Vista and Windows 7.