Mobile Technology

myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive makes password management portable

myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive makes password management portable
The myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive for password management
The myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive for password management
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The myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive for password management
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The myIDkey voice-searchable USB drive for password management
myIDkey connects to smartphones through Bluetooth
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myIDkey connects to smartphones through Bluetooth
A breakdown of the features offered by myIDkey
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A breakdown of the features offered by myIDkey
AES256 encryption protects the data on myIDkey
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AES256 encryption protects the data on myIDkey
Users can set up a tap sequence for an extra layer of security
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Users can set up a tap sequence for an extra layer of security
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Password manager programs allow users to store all their personal login information behind one master password. Now, a product called myIDkey is looking to make that process portable. It's a fingerprint-encrypted, voice-searchable thumb drive that stores all of a user's passwords and private data.

The really interesting part of myIDkey comes from the voice search. With this, a user swipes their finger over the biometric fingerprint scanner, presses the voice button, and says the password they want. From there, it is displayed on the OLED screen. This means it can be used not only for storing passwords on websites, but also for bank account numbers, home security PINs, and other such functions.

This device also works like a traditional password manager when plugged into a PC or Mac. It will automatically fill in forms when logged in, so it will save some time.

The first thing I thought of when I saw this device was: what happens if I lose it? It has a self-destruct option, so if a user fails to gain access on too many attempts, all the data is deleted. To go along with this, everything is also stored securely in the cloud, so while the data is removed from the lost device, it is still accessible to the owner of the myIDkey.

If scanning a fingerprint is not enough security, it also comes with a tap sequence function. With this, a user will have to tap a button a correct amount of times in a certain sequence to get access to the contents of the drive. This is optional, so users not wishing to take the extra steps can forgo this completely.

myIDkey can also be used with a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. That means all the password and IDs stored can be used in the same way they would when connected to a computer through USB.

The device also includes 16GB of storage, so it also functions like a standard flash drive. Of course, files are also encrypted behind the fingerprint scanner, so they are protected from unauthorized access.

myIDkey already had a successful Kickstarter campaign, surpassing its funding goal by 300 percent. Now, the creators are opening up pre-orders for the general public with a US$169 price tag. The device will begin shipping in September of this year.

The video below provides more information on myIDkey directly from the creators.

Source: myIDkey

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7 comments
7 comments
Mark A
Military Grade Encryption - Is that good news or a warning?
christopher
LOL - "securely in the cloud" - that would be the place where PRISM feeds on all our personal data, right? +1 Mark A :-)
Thunderbird4
Exactly. Your head is in the i-cloud, if THAT "back-up" is regarded as security. You don't give the key to your house to someone you you don't know and have never met.
If I were a megalomaniac, I would equipe the IDKey with a transmitter, so when it was plugged into a computer, it would send the data to Tracey Island.
Don Duncan
Can I choose to not use the cloud as backup? If not, I want no part of it. I would want a second myIDkey (two total) as backup.
tigerprincess
What is with all the devices shown on Gizmag lately already being fully funded (not available on Kickstart). I signed up on Gizmag to try and get in on the ground floor on things I find interesting and usefull. However it seems that you are behind the times yourself when it comes to showing us the upcoming technology. We can go to the internet or commercial stores to find items that are already out to the public and pay full retail price. No fun!!! The knowledge that we may have helped bring to market the newest mousetrap is part of the excitement of joining these tech blogs.
pmshah
If one were to compress and encrypt their data with 2 different random sequence 128 character password, twice over no computer in the world, however powerful, can decrypt and get the data in your life time.
kellory
If it is in the "Cloud" it is NOT secure. Give me two, as Don Duncan stated, and the ability to clone a replacement. Also, install a super capacitor, with enough juice to fry a hard-drive, after about a dozen wrong attempts. If stolen, there should be a penalty for that.