How does the PortableApps.com Carbide USB Flash Drive Stack Up?

When we called the PortableApps.com Carbide the safest, most secure USB Flash Drive on Earth it raised a lot of questions. So we have decided to post the answers to the most common questions we have received so far, but if you have any questions that aren’t answered here just let us know.

1. How does this compare to Ironkey?

Please see attached comparison.  Apart from these differences, Carbide is priced much more competitively than Ironkey.  Numerous Ironkey customers are now happy PortableApps.com Carbide customers.

2. Is the chip potted?

The entire PCB and all components (except for the rechargeable battery) are potted to comply with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 criteria (please refer to our FIPS policy certificate # 1873).

3. Does hack attempt secure wipe contents?

If the incorrect PIN is entered 10 consecutive times the encryption key will be erased rendering all data stored on the drive as inaccessible.  The drive can then be reset, which randomly generates a new encryption key then the drive will need to be reformatted in order to be reused/redeployed.  The drive does not secure wipe contents after a hack attempt, it is not a requirement as far as we are concerned.

4. Is hack attempt counter persistent until next successful authentication? (attempt but not exceed threshold, unplug, attempt again with a 0 counter)?

Persistent until next authentication.  Across sleep and power cycles.

5. Password is limited to PIN of 15 digits (characters 0-9) or 10^15 = 1E+15 combinations?

15 digit max in PIN length.  10^15

6. Is the actual cipher key random dynamic each reset or static per drive? Is your code peer reviewed?

AES key is random with 256 bits of entropy.  Code has been peer reviewed.

7. Are there any master keys or back doors?

The Carbide can be configured with 1 User and 1 Admin PIN.  There are no backdoors.

8. Water proof/resistant? 

The Carbide is IP-57 certified (water and dust resistant).