In the News
Are claims all they are cracked up to be? In ‘Unhackable’ Biometric USB Offers Up Passwords in Plain Text, Tara Seals at ThreatPost discusses a new USB, eyeDisk, utilizing biometric scanning that boosted the claim of being ‘unhackable,’ when in reality, it was not a secure as it claimed. Seals explains that an individual with Pen Test Partners was able to identify a software flaw where passwords were stored unencrypted. This individual recommends using data encryption regardless of the USB’s original claim.
Our Take
eyeDisk is a prime example of the importance of not taking everything at face value. Although the idea of an ‘unhackable’ storage device for your data sounds incredible, just because there has been a claim made does not inherently prove that the device will live up to its claim. It is always a safe bet to do your research on a new product or service before blindly trusting its marketing claim. To ensure your data security, adding additional security measures can only benefit your security. eyedisk may make improvements in the future to correct its current flaw, but it serves as an example to consumers to take caution when protecting your data. Even with devices that use two-factor authentication or biometric authentication, ensuring that your backup access information such as a password is unique and strong is pivotal to securing that data in the best way possible.
Recommendations
How can you protect the security of your data?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Utilize additional security/privacy measures and settings on apps, accounts, and platforms whenever possible
- Utilize encryption when storing sensitive data
- Purchase reputable and legitimate products only