Key drives and network security

I’m running most of my applications and storing sensitive data on an encrypted 1GB USB key drive. Benefits of this include:

• No longer having to worry about carrying sensitive data — I have dozens, if not hundreds of passwords for companies saved. Losing them would be a huge issue. With an encrypted volume on the key drive using Truecrypt, I can be sure that if I lose my Key drive or it is stolen, no one can read it.
• I don’t have to worry about keeping mail in sync between two computers, all my mail is stored on the drive.
• Ditto for bookmarks — all of my personal bookmarks are with me all the time.
• IM history (Personal and work-related) stay on the key drive.
• Small utility apps that work doesn’t include on their default build (archivers, graphics manipulation, etc) are on my key drive. This saved me a LOT of time when my laptop crashed — all of the “tweaking” I do to get a box “mine” was already done.
• I have a VPN installer and a collection of remote control applications (Remote Desktop, Terminal Services, VNC, Remote Administrator) and can administer work systems from anyone’s computer with a broadband connection and Windows.

Combining a well-stocked key drive with a Blackberry 7100t, and I can escape having to lug a laptop around most of the time. I bring my laptop now when I want to have it with me instead of feeling like I need to have it with me 24/7.

On my Blackberry, I can keep abreast of email, can receive automated outage notification from systems, keep all my contacts in one place, surf the web for directions and basic browsing, and send SMS messages.

Technorati Tags: key drive, security, passwords, blackberry, productivity

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