Product Description
The BlackArmor Portable Hard Drive is the always encrypted, government-grade secure storage solution designed for carrying your sensitive business and personal data with you. Featuring hardware-based full-disc encryption technology, it not only prohibits access to your data without the password, but also eliminates tedious manual security procedures that are required in other technologies. When its USB cable is removed from the computer, the drive automatically locks. Not even a professional data recovery service can access or restore your data without the correct password. Plus, should you choose, permanent deletion of the encryption key allows for secure repurposing of the drive. Permanently delete encryption key for secure redeployment Pre-loaded software makes installation quick and easy Automated backup scheduling Sync to multiple computers on the same operating system USB 2.0 interface powers your drive and ensures fast data transfer at 480Mb/sec Securely carry your sensitive data Quickly and easily back up and store your data Transport your data in a compact, lightweight device Securely redeploy your portable hard drive System Requirements - Pentium III, 500Mhz equivalent processor or higher, Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, or Business or Windows XP Home, Professional, or Media Center Edition, 256MB RAM, Internet connection for software updates, and 1 available USB port Dimensions - Height 5.17 x Width 3.32 x Length 0.67 (131.2x84.2x16.9mm) Weight - 7.20 ounces (204.12 grams)
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Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1381 in Consumer Electronics
Brand: Seagate
Model: STM901603BAA1E1-RK
Dimensions: 3.00 pounds
Hard Disk: 160GB
Features
Box Content - BlackArmor external hard drive with pre-loaded security and backup software, Quick Start guide, USB 2.0 cable, and Protective slip case
Protected by Seagate Secure hardware based encryption technology delivering Government certification as the strongest data security available for an external storage device
Removal of the USB cable from your computer auto locks the drive
No tedious manual security procedures found in software-based encryption technology
Hint feature offers a reminder in the event of a forgotten password
Customer Reviews
Good drive, great protection.
I bought 2 of these hard drives and I'm satisfied with them. I've seen reviews where they criticised their speed or look, but I really don't think that is relevant. This drive provides an easy way to encrypt and save your data. The speed is as good as many other drives, and the look is good too. The drive is easy to store horizontally, vertically, and feels very solid. No need to use the soft bag included in the box. If you are worried abut fingerprints on the mirror area, oh well, it's a pure cosmetic issue. Easy to clean, and the surface does not scratch.
The cable is short, and I like that. I have enough cables rolled up on my desk. I don't need another one. But I do warn you that this drive requires a powered USB. I have another external 2.5 I can plug in any USB, but the Black Armor needs some extra juice, and I had to find a USB that had enough power, or use a Y-split cable.
Would be nice if the drive came with a Y-split cable, but it didn't, and while you can find them online, it's hard (almost impossible) to find short ones. I wanted a 1ft cable, but I could only find 6-8ft stuff.
Another little annoyance is the software. The password dialog takes a few seconds to come up. It might have to do it's checks and security things, but it could be faster to pop up the dialog.
Also, with 2 hard drives, when you connect the second one you have to twice select the hard drive you want to unlock or enter the password for.
But they are minor issues for what I consider a great hard drive overall.
Great Security , Large Capacity and Low Price
My software company relies on Black Armor hard drives to secure large client data files that we transport between their site and ours. These drives offer a combination of security, storage capacity and low price that can't be beat.
Its a great tool. Unlock the drive and you can load client files, unlock or unplug the drive and the data is secure. If the drive is lost and the drive extracted from its metal case the data remains protected.
It works much like encryption software that store data in virtual drives (aka Vaults) that must be opened to access them. In some ways its safer as the physical hardrive is easily disconected from the computer. With software protection, if a hacker got into your system and looks at the program list he knows that their is something secured on your computer.
If the Black Armor HD is disconnected or locked, a hacker will not know of its existance as it leaves no software on your PC.
The key with this hardware encrypyted drive, as with any encryption vault software such as PGP or Steganos (which our firm also uses), is to disconnect/lock the drive (aka close the vault) when you are not working with the data. Quite frankly, disconnecting the drive is a physical barrier that any hacker, no matter how good can't overcome.
FYI - at our firm we tend to be overly security concious and use Black Armor Hard Drives, Encrpytion Software on the local PCs and DOD certified file deletion software (when a project is completed or a hardrive is retired the file locations are wiped clean 16 times). In fact, when we retire hard-drives after deleting the files on them, wiping the free space and reformating the drive we physically destroy them (i.e. they are turned into little pieces of scrap).
If you want to protect your or your client's data this is the drive to buy; however, don't forget the password. If you do you can't access the data, ever.
Secure and sleek.
Lets start with the look and feel of this product. Very sleek. Very Nice. It has a nice high quality rubbery finish. It is a bit large for a portable hard drive, but it definitely has a solid feel about it. Feels like a high quality product in hand. It comes with a nice microfiber pouch which helps keep it clean and fingerprint free.
Something it does extremely well is that it keeps your files very secure. I actually forgot my password once, and the only way I was able to use the hard drive again was to delete the contents completely and set a new password. Lucky for me, I didn't lose any files that were that valuable to me.
File transfers are relatively fast. I've heard people complain about the speed, but I've found it to be more than sufficient. In my opinion, the security is a major bonus with little sacrifice in terms of speed.
If you're primarily concerned about security, this is one of the best devices of its kind. Its not be the best choice if you work with Macs since it offers zero compatibility with mac os. It does however work with programs like bootcamp and vmware, so there are ways around this problem. Besides that, it's a great device.
Seagate STM901603BAA1E1-RK 160GB Black Armor 2.5-Inch USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
