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SplashID puts the KEY in USB Key

By | August 16, 2010, 8:00pm PDT

Summary: Unlock your passwords and private info with a USB drive that’s shaped like a key

I’ve been using USB thumb drives since their inception. That said, I tend to call them USB drives, but most non-techies that I know call them a USB key. I still haven’t figured out why that is, but now, thanks to SplashID’s latest iteration, they’re not that far off.

The folks behind SplashID have created a new USB drive in the shape of a key. As you might expect, it’s cleverly named SplashID “Key” Safe (quotes are mine). If you’re not familiar with SplashID, it’s a program that lets you store usernames, passwords, and more. In the case of the SplashID Key Safe, you get a USB drive (in the shape of a key) that sports 2 GB of storage, and the ability to run SplashID completely self contained–leaving no trace of any of your data on the host computer once you remove the USB drive.

I think the concept of making it look like a key is pretty clever, and could resonate with techies and non-techs alike. I should also mention that SplashData isn’t the first to market with a USB drive that looks like a key. Apparently, LaCie has a couple already, including the iamaKey and itsaKey. However, they’re just straight USB drives, and don’t offer the SplashID software.

I have played around with versions of SplashID in the past, but this one definitely piqued my interest. With the ability to completely remove all traces of itself on both a Mac and PC, this is sure to be a winner for many people who are concerned about identity theft, privacy, and security.

Read more about the SplashID Key Safe at SplashData.com

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Topics

USB Flash Drive, USB, SplashID, Flash Memory, Joel Evans

With more than a decade of mobile, Internet and wireless experience, Joel specializes in taking existing brands and technologies into the mobile and wireless space.

Disclosure

Joel Evans

Joel is a serial entrepreneur with his most recent business, CronkSoftware (cronksoftware.com), focusing on consulting and building games and applications for mobile devices. Joel has consulted for Microsoft’s Windows Mobile division and advises other companies on how to incorporate mobile into their existing brands and products. Joel purchases many of his devices and others are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the supplier. If any devices are provided as “keeper” Joel will clearly disclose this in his reviews.

Biography

Joel Evans

With more than a decade of mobile, Internet and wireless experience, Joel specializes in taking existing brands, technologies and services into the mobile and wireless space. Joel is currently serving as the Managing Director of Cronk Software, Inc., a company he founded to offer full-service, end-to-end mobile strategy, design and development services.

Joel is the former founder and "Chief Geek" of Geek.com, a website praised by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and others as one of world's best sources of information for technology professionals and enthusiasts.

Joel also serves as a technology expert for a number of well-known publications and regularly advises corporations, analysts, journalists and bloggers on what the future of technology will bring. He brings decades of relationships with leading game publishers, online communities and publishers, along with both hardware and software product management and delivery expertise. Joel can be found online as "JoelGeek" and you can follow him on Twitter @JoelGeek.

Talkback Most Recent of 6 Talkback(s)

  • RE: SplashID puts the KEY in USB Key
    Just bought one: $30 plus $3 postage but if you add the promo code found on "retailmenot.com" it saves $3.00
    ZDNet Gravatar
    bigmutt
    17th Aug 2010
  • Already Exists - Lacie
    Lacie already has one of these out (called the Cookey), minus the ID software. I got an 8GB one about a month ago for 27 bucks (free shipping) on Amazon. They make 16GB ones too.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    CoMontRFA
    17th Aug 2010
  • Trace removal is patented
    A USB key that runs software and then removes all traces was invented by M-System and marketed as the XKey. This was originally done to provide a portable version of Outlook without leaving the traces of the user's email on the PC. At least one patent was issued on the process of removing traces of software run from a USB Flash drive.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    donaldrich
    17th Aug 2010
  • RE: SplashID puts the KEY in USB Key
    So why do I need to buy that key when I can copy that program and use it on any usb drive? Or are we buying the looks and the fact that it doesn't look out of place on a keychain?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    m3kw9
    17th Aug 2010
  • RE: SplashID puts the KEY in USB Key
    Splash ID is a great program, Wish this had more storage. For a lot of people I think having it on a key chain means they would take advantage of it. There is a small cool/fun factor. Terrific for IT managers.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    cfdamm
    19th Aug 2010
  • RE: SplashID puts the KEY in USB Key
    Has no plans for a Linux version though. sad Guess I'll be skipping this item...
    ZDNet Gravatar
    JT82
    1st Sep 2010

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