Lost Portable Storage Devices = Lost Identity

June 2006

Large capacity, portable storage devices, such as USB keys, digital camera memory, and MP3 players, are super convenient—but they can be super dangerous, too. If your device falls into the wrong hands, it can reveal a mother lode of personal information, even if you've deleted your files.

In this issue of the WhiteCanyon Computer Security Newsletter, you will learn how to enjoy the convenience of portable storage devices and protect your identity at the same time. Please take a look at our Fourth of July Sale as well!

1. Article—Digital Camera and USB Security
2. Suggested Product—MediaWiper Fourth of July Sale (Ends July 12th)

Digital Camera and USB Security

Have you ever lost a digital camera, USB key or pen drive, MP3 player, SD/CF memory card, or other flash memory based device? These devices are easy to lose at home, while traveling, or at work. Whoever finds your lost device will end up with all of your personal data, photos, music—all of the files stored on your device. This includes both files currently on the memory device and files that you've already deleted. Read on below to learn about flash memory and how to protect yourself.

The Compact Flash Revolution

CD's used to be the method of choice for transporting data from one computer to another. New compact flash technology is changing all that. Now, instead of burning a large CD that could easily break, get scratched, or melt in a hot car under the summer sun, everyone from children to business staff is dragging and dropping their files to USB pen drives and other flash memory storage devices.

Originally, flash memory was used primarily for storing photos in digital cameras. Later, mp3 players took this idea and used it to store your music in a small, convenient package. The revolution continues as music and photos are no longer the only files commonly saved to flash media devices. As of this year, thanks to USB keys and pen drives and other newer, smaller, and lighter compact memory products, everyone can use flash memory to transport or backup their files.

Files Deleted? Think Again!

Once data has been saved to any flash memory device, it remains there, even if deleted. For example, a 1 Gig USB pen drive is very useful for backing up the contact information of friends and family, financial records, passwords, bookmarks, and personal emails before wiping and reinstalling a computer. After putting all the data back on a newly cleaned computer, most people would simply hit the delete key on the keyboard to clean all the sensitive information off the pen drive. It will certainly look empty, but a popular recovery program like Recover My Files can bring back nearly every file that was just deleted!

What if someone else gets your pen drive? They can recover your data, even if you have deleted it! How can you keep this from happening to you?

Solution #1: Clean Your Flash Memory with MediaWiper

Securely wipe all your sensitive and personal information from your flash memory devices with MediaWiper. MediaWiper is a secure erasing program that takes special care to overwrite all of the old information on flash memory devices and computer hard drive partitions. It finishes by preparing your storage device to be safely reused again, as clean as if it was newly purchased from the store that day.

Get a copy of MediaWiper today to wipe the personal information on your portable storage devices!

Solution #2: Encrypt Your Files with MySecurityVault PRO

MySecurityVault PRO uses the same industrial-strength encryption as large corporations and government agencies. Encrypt your files with MySecurityVault PRO to keep them safe in case your pen drive happens to be lost or stolen with files still on it.

Get a copy of MySecurityVault PRO now to encrypt your files.

MediaWiper Fourth of July Sale*! MediaWiper makes protecting yourself safe and easy. With MediaWiper you can easily wipe & erase hard drive partitions and removable drives. What isn't there can't be stolen.
	Permanently erase an unlimited number of hard drive partitions and disks per MediaWiper license Erase data on removable and external hard drives Completely erase all data on partitions, memory cards (compact flash, MMC, memory sticks, smart media, IBM Micro-drives, etc.), USB drives, diskettes, hard drives, zip disks, and more If desired, MediaWiper will allow you to verify that a drive has been erased
Bonus: WipeDrive and MySecurityVault Lite Currently, MediaWiper comes with two bonus software products, WipeDrive and MySecurityVault Lite. WipeDrive securely wipes entire hard drives all at once. Evaluate MySecurityVault with MySecurityVault Lite and see how it can safely encrypt and store your personal data, passwords, and files on both computer hard drives and flash memory media. This is a great security option to use until you have a moment to securely wipe the flash drive with MediaWiper. Fourth of July Sale!* MediaWiper: $39.95 $29.95 You Save $10.00! Enter this coupon code at checkout: NL00606MW

* Sale ends July 12th

MySecurityVault PRO MySecurityVault PRO is a powerful encryption tool that uses industry-leading encryption to protect your files and personal information. The easy drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to secure your important files.
	Uses leading-edge encryption techniques to protect your files from snoopers Easy drag-and-drop interface makes encryption easy Keeps your files and passwords from falling into the wrong hands Multiple users can each have multiple vaults (profiles) for storing files and passwords
$9.95 if purchased with MediaWiper (available at checkout) $19.95 if purchased separately