Product Reviews

XKey makes using shared PCs, such as at internet cafes, safer. It has two partitions and its own processor. The first is read-only and stores all the security software; the remaining space on the drive is used as your data storage. It's available on a range of thumb drives, including those made by Disgo.

The first line of defence is password protection for the drive. All data written to it is also subject to 128-bit encryption. When the drive initialises on a computer, it runs anti-key-logging software. This blocks any attempts by malicious code to record your passwords or other data as you type.

A McAfee-powered virus checker scans system memory for bad code and locks down the drive if it finds any. This provides genuine security while you work. The XKey also ensures you leave no trace, by deleting Internet Explorer files automatically.

The XKey is an affordable way to secure public computers, but if you just want to move files around, a standard thumb drive is better value.