Anyone out there have any experience with SafeBoot(tm) from SmartDisk Security Corporation? Here's what you get in the mail when you call them for info: [disclaimer: I am not accociated with SmartDisk Security Corporation] -------------- SafeBoot - The SmartDisk PC Security System - SafeBoot is an extremely secure and easy-to-use access control system for the personal computer. - SafeBoot is the first access control system to use the SmartDisk. It is the only hardware-based PC security system that is suitable for all PC's including notebooks and portables. - SafeBoot provides two factor access control; your PC cannot be used unless it is booted from your SmartDisk and your SmartDisk password is entered at the SafeBoot log-on screen. - SafeBoot keeps your data confidential and protects your computer from unauthorized users. EASY TO USE SafeBoot is simple to install and easy to use. During installation SafeBoot generates a unique encryption key, stores it one your SmartDisk and encrypts your PC's hard disk using this key. The next time you want to use your PC, you simply boot your PC from your SmartDisk. The SafeBoot log-on screen will appear and will prompt you to enter your SmartDisk password. If you enter the correct password, your computer will start-up as normal. You can then remove your SmartDisk and forget that SafeBoot is installed, as it will not interfere in any way with the normal operation of your computer. SafeBoot will work with all disk utility tools and compression software, including Norton SpeedDisk and MicroSoft DoubleSpace. DATA ENCRYPTION AND BOOT PROTECTION When you boot your computer using your SmartDisk and enter your password, SafeBoot will read the encryption key held on the SmartDisk into the PC's memory. SafeBoot will then transparently encrypt and decrypt all hard disk accesses until you switch off or reboot your PC. Unlike most software-based PC security systems, that have to store the encryption key on the hard disk itself, SafeBoot uses the SmartDisk to store the key. By doing this, SafeBoot prevents unauthorized users from using low level PC recovery tools to discover the key, and 'undo' the hard disk protection. FULL OR PARTIAL HARD DISK ENCRYPTION You can choose how much of your hard disk SafeBoot will encrypt. For most purposes 'partial encryption' is more than adequate and is very quick to install. 'Partial encryption' encrypts the structure of the data on your hard disk - the information which MS-DOS uses to find the files and directories. 'Full encryption' takes a little longer to install, but will protect all of your data against even the most determined hacker. BOOT SECTOR VIRUS DETECTION Software-based virus protection products cannot prevent your computer from 'catching' a boot sector virus. Boot sector viruses can also be the most difficult type of PC virus to detect, as they are loaded into memory before any virus detection software can be run. Once loaded, a virus can pretend that the boot sector has not been modified, thus prevent itself from being detected. Because SafeBoot runs before the PC's boot sector is loaded it can detect boot sector viruses that otherwise hide themselves from virus detection software. THE SMARTDISK Although the SmartDisk looks like a 3.5" floppy disk and fits into a normal floppy disk drive, it is not a floppy disk. It is actually a hardware device with its own microprocessor that provides secure, password protected storage. The SmartDisk differs from all other hardware PC security solutions, for example, a smartcard, because it needs no special readers, extra circuit boards, or power supplies, and no connectors or cables. The SmartDisk operates in a standard PC 3.5" diskette drive without modification to the drive or the PC. SmartDisk directly enhances protection of the PC's data by retaining the encryption key, the password, and the encryption algorithm - none of which remains resident on the PC. This ensures that the SafeBoot software is run before any other software is loaded on the PC, thus enabling SafeBoot to verify system integrity before continuing to load your PC's operating system. LOST SMARTDISK OR FORGOTTEN PASSWORD When SafeBoot is installed, it creates a backup of your encryption key on the SafeBoot system disk. If you forget your password, of lose your SmartDisk, you can use this floppy disk to remove SafeBoot. SECURING MULTIPLE PCs WITH ONE SMARTDISK A single SmartDisk can be used to secure any number of PCs without incremental cost. SafeBoot will generate a unique key for your SmartDisk the first time that SafeBoot is installed, but will allow you to use the same key for subsequent installations. SAFEBOOT FOR CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS Various utilities are available to facilitate the installation and management of SmartDisks and SafeBoot encryption keys within large organizations. SmartDisk Security Corporation 4073 Mercantile Ave Naples, Florida, USA 33942 (813) 263-3475 voice (813) 643-6357 FAX ----------------- Jim_Miller@suite.com