A second, not even a second of inattention, is enough to be hacked or for your important data to go to waste. All you have to do is leave an unencrypted USB key lying around, or click on a phishing link in an unsolicited email to find yourself in a delicate situation without knowing it.
Above all, while security is important at home and in the office, it’s when you’re on the go that things can get even more dangerous. But never fear: here are three computer security gadgets that will give you an edge over hackers.
USB data blocker
What does a USB data blocker do?
It protects against unwanted data transfers from your devices while you charge them.
Why do you need it ?
O.MG Cable by Hak5 / Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
How do you know if you can trust the cable or charger you’re using? Hackers can use modified hardware to hack into your devices and steal data or infect your device with malware.
Think you can spot malicious hardware? Think again ! Look at the white cable in the photo above. He looks quite innocent, doesn’t he? Well it is not! It is an O.MG cable, from Hak5, which can be used to attack smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.
Your only chance of spotting such a product is to use a malicious cable finder.
The O.MG Malicious Cable Detector indicates that this cable is suspicious. / Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Instead of checking every cable you plug your devices into, plugging through a data blocker puts a safe space between you and malicious devices. I highly recommend using a data blocker if you use chargers and cables on the go to protect your devices.
You can get data blockers for USB-A, USB-A-to-USB-C, and USB-C here and there.
USB dongle
What does the USB dongle do?
A USB dongle is a device that allows websites and apps to confirm that you are you, and it provides an extra line of defense between hackers and your data. Think of it as a physical password that you plug into a device to access it, or connect via NFC. I recommend a Yubikey key for this.
Read: The Yubikey 5C NFC is the ultimate authentication key
Why do you need it ?
This key adds an extra line of defense to your online accounts. Even if hackers have access to your username and password, they will still need your USB dongle in order to compromise your account.
So your password may end up being compromised, but not your security USB key.
USB key with internal encryption
What does a USB key do with an internal encryption system?
These keys provide completely self-contained authentication and encryption processes. This means that all critical security settings reside within the key, and are never shared with its USB host, most often a computer. It secures your data using high-level encryption, and because this encryption is based on the hardware of the key, you can be sure that all data stored on the key is always encrypted.
Why do you need it ?
There are times when you need to move data with you. Using a USB key whose keys are encrypted by a mechanism installed on the key means that your data is fully protected at all times. In other words, if you lose your USB key, you will be sure that the data stored on it is protected forever.
If you’re ultra-paranoid, you can even configure a USB drive like the Apricorn Aegis to erase data after 10 incorrect passcode attempts.
Source: “ZDNet.com”