| USB copy protection and USB encryption are two | | | | copy protection the files are always viewable by the |
| terms which many users mix up and consider to be | | | | user, but what is protected is the ability to copy the |
| the same technology. However, USB copy protection | | | | files off the flash drive. |
| and USB encryption are two totally different | | | | This feat is accomplished by a two step process |
| technologies. | | | | which works together to form the protection. The first |
| To summarize, USB copy protection is a technology | | | | element is the USB flash drive. The second element is |
| which protects the content on a flash drive so the files | | | | the file with [specific] encryption. The encryption in the |
| cannot be copied or replicated. | | | | file works with the decryption engine on the flash drive. |
| USB encryption is a technology which scrambles | | | | The flash drive is required to see the encryption of the |
| content on a flash drive into an unreadable format so | | | | file, if everything matches, the USB will pass the |
| the data cannot be read - this is called encryption. | | | | information out to the computer and is viewable by the |
| At first glance, the two technologies appear to be the | | | | user. |
| same. USB copy protection and USB encryption both | | | | In the event the file is copied to the computer and the |
| protect your content. Both technologies prevent users | | | | flash drive is removed from the system, the two step |
| from copying your data and both technologies require | | | | process fails and the files are no longer readable by |
| some sort of decryption, but this is where the | | | | the user. Thus your content has been copy protected. |
| similarities end. | | | | You could also think of the USB flash drive as a |
| Lets take a closer look at USB encryption. USB | | | | physical security dongle for the files to work. So it |
| encryption is a technology where content on a flash | | | | turns out the term USB copy protection is quit literal - it |
| drive is scrambled into an unreadable format. This is | | | | means exactly that. |
| the process of encrypting. Once the files on a USB | | | | USB copy protection is a great technology where IP |
| stick are encrypted, they can only be read by providing | | | | owners need to share their content without the risk of |
| a password, or key, to decrypt the files. With the | | | | users stealing their Intellectual Property. A good |
| correct key, the files are decrypted and presented in a | | | | example of this includes e-publishers who publish |
| readable format. | | | | valuable articles, reports, documents, programs or |
| It is important to note; once the content is decrypted | | | | utilities who need users to access the content, but |
| and the files are readable, there is no restriction for the | | | | cannot let them share the content. |
| user to copy the files and give to others. | | | | Some have said that USB encryption only keeps the |
| The value with USB encryption is protecting the | | | | honest people honest. This is true, because once a |
| content in the event the USB flash drive is lost or | | | | user has the password, they can do whatever they |
| stolen. The content is safe because "the finder" [or | | | | want with the content. USB copy protection solves this |
| "thief"] does not have the password and thus cannot | | | | problem because regardless of the users intention, the |
| access the content. | | | | content cannot be shared with others. |
| Now lets take a look at USB copy protection. USB | | | | There are open source programs which are built from |
| copy protection also uses encryption technology; | | | | GPL (General Public License) for USB encryption such |
| however, the encryption technology is tied to one's | | | | as TrueCrypt [ ]. This utility has an encryption version |
| ability to copy the files, not view the files. With USB | | | | which runs from flash drives. |