The Details

USB Thumb Drives use flash memory to store and transfer data. These little guys have been around for awhile, and are a quick and effective means of transferring data. There are a couple factors to keep in mind when purchasing a USB thumb drive. The first is speed. The era of slow-as-molasses thumb drives is gone but not forgotten, and many of today’s USB 3.0 drives still leave something to be desired.

You also want a drive with encryption. The sad truth is that USB drives are easy to lose, especially if you use shared computers. Get a device that can encrypt your files so strangers can’t access them if they find your drive.

Finally, you want a durable device. While the exact level of ruggedness you want may vary, make sure to get a well constructed product that doesn’t overheat or jam up in a slide.

The Best Overall Thumb Drive: SanDisk Extreme CZ80 64GB

For the pasts few years, California-based SanDisk has produced the best USB 3.0 thumb drive. Their 64GB Extreme CZ80 is fast, affordable, and secure.

This drive delivers read and write speeds at a significantly faster clip than most competitors. SanDisk advertises read speeds up to 245MBs and write speeds of 190MBs, and user benchmarks confirm that these speeds are mostly accurate. This means you can transfer a full-length SD movie in about 10 seconds. That’s 50x faster than old USB 2.0 drives (and double the speed of many 3.0 drives). This drive is ideal for transferring large files, both due to its capacity and speed relative to other options on the market.

The drive also protects your files with AES 128-bit encryption and a secure access vault that works on both Macs and USB. It also includes RescuePRO data recovery software. The Extreme is made with durable plastic, not the most rugged USB drive on the market, but it is solidly constructed and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It’s also not the most discrete, coming in at 2.8 inches long. But the speed and value of this device cannot be beat for most users.

The Fastest USB Thumb Drive: Lexar 128GB JumpDrive P20

USB drives get a bum rap for their slow speeds. Earlier models had read and write speeds in the low teens, while even many of today’s USB 3.0 drives take twice as long as an external hard drive. But the Lexar 128GB Jump Drive P20 delivers an impressive read/write speed of 400/270MBs. That speed is fast enough to transfer an HD movie in less than the time it takes a Netflix video to load and buffer.

The JumpDrive P20 is housed in a sturdy metal alloy case with a glossy black mirror finish. It’s a retractable drive, which made me suspicious at first, as retractable drives are prone to jamming or otherwise breaking. But the P20 slides along solidly (if not a little stiff) and is protected by a lock mechanism that keeps it safe when extended. At 25 grams, it has a nice heft to it. Lexar includes a limited lifetime warranty. I also like the 256-bit AES encryption via EncryptStickTM Lite software.

The main draw is the drive’s USB 3.0 capacity. This drive runs faster than many external HDDs. While it doesn’t touch SSD speeds, it gets the job done fast enough to be a viable option for large data transfers. Transfer 1000 photos in 1 minute 15 seconds or a full-length HD movie in 36 seconds.

The Most Secure USB Thumb Drive: Apricorn Aegis Secure

The Apricorn Aegis Secure Key is the perfect storage device for a small amount of data. There are two steps to protect your data. First, it requires you to enter a 7-15 digit code on an alphanumeric keyboard.

The second layer of security comes from 256-bit AES Military Grade Hardware Encryption. The Secure Key is tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and receives a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 cryptography specification. It doesn’t need any software or firmware to run. That means there’s no risk of a firmware hack. Finally, it protects against brute force attacks with a mechanism that deletes the encryption key if an incorrect PIN is entered too many times.

You can set up an Admin PIN as well as individual user PINs, so companies can recycle the keys if they are granted to new users. The keypad is powered by a battery and is convenient to use. It also resits dust and water ingress. The rest of the device is also solidly constructed in water-resistant aluminum casing. This version uses USB 2.0. A USB 3.0 version exists, but has a few issues (like overheating) that this version doesn’t have.

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We’ve combed through reviews on websites such as SC Magazine, SecureMac.com, Computerworld, CNET, Techworld, Lifehacker, Ars Technica, The Mac Lawyer, and AnandTech in order to come up with the top rated encryption solutions:

PGP Whole Disk Encryption ($140)

Top Review Sources:

• SC Magazine: 5.0/5.0 “Best Buy”
• SecureMac.com: 5.0/5.0 “After…installing the product you are a few clicks away from being fully encrypted. The decryption process is just as easy.”
• Computerworld: “PGP Whole Disk Protection is a very good choice for protecting the data on a hard drive”

Symantec’s PGP Whole Disk Encryption is a robust full-disk encryption program targeted at business users. The initial encryption process can be lengthy—large drives with lots of files can take several hours to secure. The good news is that you’ll be able to continue your work as PGP Whole Disk Encryption performs its duties in the background. It is also nice that setting up the initial encryption takes just a few steps that are logically and simply presented. PGP Whole Disk Encryption is capable of using a handful of ciphers, including AES, CAST, TripleDES, IDEA, and TwoFish. After the initial encryption process is complete, PGP Whole Disk Encryption operates transparently, encrypting and decrypting files on the fly. Performance impact is negligible, and the only clear indication that the program is working is the authentication screen at startup. Extras include the ability to create encrypted self-extracting files and a file shredding tool for permanent deletion. PGP Whole Disk Encryption can create encrypted virtual drives on unencrypted volumes, plus it will encrypt removable media.

PGP Whole Disk Encryption can be purchased on the official website.

TrueCrypt (Free)

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 4.5/5.0 “Loaded with powerful features”
• Techworld: “TrueCrypt…offers a plethora of configuration settings, default options and operational choices”
• Lifehacker: “Our favorite solution for keeping your private files safe, sound, and hidden”

TrueCrypt is feature-packed and free. The program provides full disk encryption via an easy-to-use interface. You’ll be able to choose from three ciphers: AES, Serpent, and Twofish. Initial drive encryption can take many hours, but your Mac remains useable during that time. System performance will be affected during this process, but after it is done, TrueCrypt works seamlessly in the background. The only time you’ll be prompted by TrueCrypt is at the password screen at startup. Not only can you use TrueCrypt to lock down your entire hard drive, you can use it to secure removable drives and create encrypted virtual drives as well. TrueCrypt’s help files are comprehensive and well-written; patient beginners will have few problems learning how to get the most out of the program.

Download TrueCrypt for free on the publisher’s site.

FileVault 2 (Free)

Pros:

• Seamless integration into OS X
• Can store your recovery key with Apple

Cons:

• OS X 10.7 Lion required

Top Review Sources:

• Ars Technica: “Disk encryption that actually works”
• The Mac Lawyer: “Essentially a complete win-win for business users”
• AnandTech: “The new FileVault is a pretty great deal for individuals”

Starting with version 10.3 Panther, OS X has included an encryption tool called FileVault. FileVault is able to encrypt the home directory, but is unable to perform a full disk encryption. With version 10.7 Lion, FileVault 2 debuts. A big improvement of FileVault 2 is the ability to encrypt an entire disk. Like the original FileVault, FileVault 2 is tightly integrated into OS X, making it easy to use. During the setup process, FileVault 2 provides a recovery key—a string of characters essential to unlocking your drive if you forget the passcode. You have the option of sharing the recovery key with Apple; if you can’t remember your passcode or recovery key, your last line of defense is to call Apple and answer security questions that you create during the FileVault 2 setup process. After setup, FileVault 2 will restart your computer and begin the drive encryption process. System performance will be diminished, but you’ll be able to work on your computer if you need to. Once the initial encryption is complete, FileVault 2 will encrypt and decrypt files as you work and your system speed should not be significantly impacted. FileVault 2 employs XTS-AES 128-bit encryption.

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By surveying reviews on sites such as Macworld, Mac|Life, CNET, MacWorld UK, ExpertReviews.co.uk, MacNation.org, and MacUpdate, we’ve created this list of the top rated data recovery software for Macs:

Data Rescue 3 ($85)

Pros:

• Excellent results
• Slick interface

Cons:

• Will not recover original file names

Top Review Sources:

• Macworld: 4.0/5.0 “Data Rescue 3 is a program that every Mac user should at least know about, if not own outright”
• Mac|Life: 4.0/5.0 “We easily recovered deleted files, and were even able to recover the contents of files that we deliberately made unreadable”
• CNET: 4.5/5.0 “Friendly interface, good documentation, and impressive recovery capabilities”

Prosoft’s Data Rescue 3 offers a slick interface and effective data restoration. For an immediate idea of the type of problems you are facing, Data Rescue 3 is able to perform a quick diagnostic test. But for the real work—deeply scanning and attempting to recover files—Data Rescue 3 will probably need a few hours. This isn’t unusual in data recovery, but worth noting nonetheless. The wait typically pays off, however, because Drive Rescue 3 does a great job finding and restoring deleted files. The program recognizes a remarkable number of file types and even has the ability to learn previously unknown file types. Two things to keep in mind: you’ll need to connect a second drive (external or internal hard drive, USB flash drive, etc.) for Data Rescue 3 to use for data caching purposes, and you’ll probably be spending a while manually sorting through the results of a scan, as Data Rescue 3 will not recover original file names. Data Rescue’s user interface is modern, functional, and blends in with the Mac aesthetic.

You’ll find Data Rescue 3 for sale on Amazon.

FileSalvage 7 ($90)

Pros:

• Great results
• Can also scan external drives, memory cards, and optical discs

Cons:

• Scans can take hours

Top Review Sources:

• MacWorld UK: 4.0/5.0 “FileSalvage is part of a range of recovery tools and is the most comprehensive consumer offering of the lot”
• ExpertReviews.co.uk: 4.0/5.0 “In the end…it’s the results that count, and FileSalvage did what it claimed to do”
• MacNation.org: 4.0/5.0 “A very promising piece of software and the support department is top-notch”

SubRosaSoft’s FileSalvage 7 is the most recent version of the company’s Macintosh data recovery software. FileSalvage recognizes an impressive number of file types and provides options for narrowing your search in cases when you have good idea what you are looking for or where it may be. Like other data recovery software, FileSalvage uses a separate volume to save recovered files. After an easy installation, you’ll be presented with the main window, where you can choose to Recover Deleted Files, Salvage All Files, or Explore A Drive. Recover Deleted Files examines the free space of your drive for recently removed information. Salvage All Files is a more extensive operation to be used on faulty or corrupted disks. It attempts to copy all useable data from the disk to another volume. Explore A Drive allows you to initiate precise search and rescue operations rather than attempt to recover all the data on a disk. In Explore A Drive mode, you can teach the program to recognize file types it doesn’t currently know. In all three modes, you’ll be able to preview your results before undeleting. Be prepared for extensive scans to take hours, and know that FileSalvage won’t typically be able to recover file names along with the data.

You can purchase and download SubRosaSoft’s FileSalvage 7 on the official website.

Disk Drill Pro ($90)

Pros:

• Recovers data on HFS/HFS+, FAT, and NTFS drives
• S.M.A.R.T. disk monitoring
• Recovery Vault enhances data recovery

Cons:

• Scanning is free, but recovery requires upgrade

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 4.0/5.0 “A good option for getting [data] back, especially for less technically inclined users”
• MacUpdate User Reviews: 4.0/5.0 (20+ reviews)
• MacWorld UK: 4.0/5.0 “Disk Drill’s interface is bright and bold and helps you through every stage of the recovery process”

Disk Drill Pro by Cleverfiles is a powerful utility for do-it-yourself undeletion. There is a free edition of Disk Drill, but it only performs lost data scans; to recover deleted files, you’ll need to purchase the Pro edition. With the Pro edition, you get a user-friendly interface and helpful documentation, making it one of the best data recovery programs for those unsure about the process. For the tentative, it is worth downloading the free edition for a thorough test-drive, then upgrading if you are happy with what you see. In the Pro edition, you’ll find flexible scanning and recovery options, as well as a long list of known file types. Disk Drill’s innovative Recovery Vault acts a bridge between backup and recovery; turn it on and Disk Drill starts monitoring and preserving deleted files, making it quick and easy to get them back if you need to. Recovery Vault-restored files will have their file names preserved, a rare accomplishment in the world of Mac data recovery software. Recovering erased files not protected by Recovery Vault takes longer and won’t restore your file names, but the results are still excellent. S.M.A.R.T. disk monitoring is included, meaning Disk Drill Pro will be scrutinizing the health of your hard drive and alerting you to overheating and other impending calamities.

Cleverfiles’ Disk Drill Pro is for sale on the official website.

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• Intego VirusBarrier X6 ($48)
• Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac ($42)
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac ($33)
• PC Tools iAntiVirus (Free)
• Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition (Free)

While the amount of spyware targeting Mac operating systems is dramatically less than the volume of malicious software targeting Windows, an increasing number of threats today take aim at applications—like browsers and multimedia platforms—that are not platform-specific. In other words, Mac users are often as vulnerable to modern malware as Windows users. For Apple users who dual boot with Windows or share files between PCs and Macs, anti-malware protection is even more important. Two companies, Symantec and Intego, offer dual-protection products for users who run both Windows and OS X on their Macs (see reviews below).

If you are interested in securing a Mac computer, I highly recommend The Mac Security Superguide by The Editors at Macworld. It’s a easy-to-read guide that cover all aspects of security on your Mac.

After a review of sites such as About.com, Amazon, Macworld, PC-Site.co.uk, CNET’s Download.com, TechRadar, and SecureMac.com, we have pinpointed the five highest rated anti-spyware utilities for Mac. (Remember: Don’t run more than one anti-malware utility at the same time; it will cause many more problems than it will solve.)

Intego VirusBarrier X6 ($48)

Pros:

• Detects both Mac and Windows malware
• Firewall included
• iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch scanning
• Free email support

Cons:

• Cost
• No phone or chat support

Source Details:

• About.com: 5.0/5.0 “the most full featured Mac-focused security solution available on the market today”
• About.com’s Best Mac Antivirus – Readers’ Choice Awards: 1^st Place (59% of votes)
• Amazon.com: 3.5/5.0 (8 reviews)
• CNET: “A robust solution”

Intego VirusBarrier X6 includes a firewall plus anti-phishing and anti-spyware features, making it a robust solution for those willing to pay its relatively high price. Also included is access to Intego’s customer service team, something that free anti-malware suites don’t offer. VirusBarrier X6 scans for Windows and Mac threats, and you have the option of disabling Windows threat monitoring if need be. Reviewers generally find VirusBarrier X6 to be light on its feet—it doesn’t drag down system performance. And because Intego is a Mac-focused company, updates for new Mac threats are quickly issued. An added bonus: VirusBarrier X6 includes scan options for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Intego VirusBarrier X6 (2-User) is available on Amazon.

Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac ($42)

Pros:

• Leader in Internet security for Windows
• Doesn’t slow down computer
• Free email and chat support

Cons:

• Cost (Additional cost to detect Windows malware)
• No firewall
• No free phone support

Source Details:

• Macworld: 4.5/5.0 “a great option for anyone who is looking for a ‘set it and forget it’ antivirus program”
• PC Magazine: 4.5/5.0 “A top-notch antivirus with impressive bonuses”
• About.com’s Best Mac Antivirus – Readers’ Choice Awards: 3^rd Place (12% of votes)
• PC-Site.co.uk : 3.5/5.0 “one of the best options out there”

Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac is produced by the same company that offers the best-selling PC anti-malware utilities. Given the company’s focus on Windows, some reviewers think Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac comes off as an afterthought, but most find the product’s protection to be effective. In the past, Norton Antivirus has been criticized for dragging down system performance—a problem it seems to have largely overcome in this latest edition. For an additional cost, you can purchase Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac ($70), which includes Windows-compatible anti-malware features. Antivirus 11.1 for Mac does not include a firewall, but because OS X already has a basic firewall, this is not necessarily a demerit.

Amazon sells both Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac and Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac ($33)

Pros:

• Free phone, email, and chat support
• Detects both Mac and Windows malware
• Flexible scanning options

Cons:

• Not full-featured

Source Details:

• PC Magazine: 3.5/5.0 “independent labs consistently put it at or near the top”
• Amazon.com: 4.0/5.0 (4 reviews)
• Macworld UK: 3.0/5.0
• About.com’s Best Mac Antivirus – Readers’ Choice Awards: 4^th Place (4% of votes)

Kaspersky has a solid track record making Windows anti-malware utilities. The company’s Anti-Virus for Mac will detect and eliminate both Mac and Windows threats. The product consumes few resources while operating in the background; part of the reason could be that it lacks the full set of features—firewall, link screening, resource monitoring—found in its Windows counterparts. Its ability to detect and repair malware is, however, highly regarded. Of the three paid anti-malware utilities here, Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac is the least expensive.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac is for sale on Amazon.

PC Tools iAntiVirus (Free)

Pros:

• Free for personal use
• Flexible scanning options
• Simple, low-profile interface

Cons:

• Does not detect Windows malware
• No phone, email, or chat support

Source Details:

• PC Magazine: 4.0/5.0 “Very Good”
• About.com: 4.5/5.0 “[provides] exactly the features you’d expect…as unobtrusively as possible”
• CNET: 4.0/5.0 “iAntiVirus is able to maintain a lower profile on your system by focusing on Mac threats only”
• TechRadar: 3.5/5.0 “Easy to install and use”

PC Tools iAntiVirus wins praise for its simplicity and low system impact. This free software does a good job of finding and removing malware aimed at Macs, but it will not pick up malware in files that can be shared with PCs. While this may be a deal-breaker for those looking for cross-platform protection, the upside is that iAntiVirus consumes few system resources and is easy to use. As with the other anti-malware utilities reviewed here, iAntiVirus keeps itself automatically updated and monitors your computer in real time.

PC Tools iAntiVirus is available through the manufacturer’s website.

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition (Free)

Pros:

• Free for personal use
• Detects both Mac and Windows malware
• Email alerts if malware is found
• No advertising

Cons:

• No phone, email, or chat support
• No firewall

Source Details:

• About.com: 5.0/5.0 “offers more complete scanning than most of its competitors”
• Download.com user reviews: 3.5/5.0 (18 reviews)
• SecureMac.com: 5.0/5.0 “more than what is expected from free applications”

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is the free edition of SophosLabs’ paid, corporate anti-malware program. Unlike many free editions of software, Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition doesn’t interrupt you with constant solicitations to upgrade to a paid version. If you run both Mac and Windows operating systems on your computer, or if you share files with Windows users, you’ll appreciate Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition’s ability to detect and repair threats to both platforms. Sophos Anti-Virus also provides you with a great deal of scanning flexibility, offering real-time and on-demand scans with options for exclusion. The program lacks some of the bells and whistles of some paid programs, and Sophos does not provide any official customer support.

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is available through the manufacturer’s website.

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Install a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Using a VPN or “virtual private network” is the best way to make your internet activities private. Until recently, VPNs were mostly used by companies to secure their employee’s network connections. There are now VPN services designed for personal use.

When you are connected to a VPN, all the data leaving your computer is encrypted. This makes it very difficult for hackers and eavesdroppers to monitor your internet connections.

This is particularly important if you use WiFi hotspots (in the local coffee shop or at a university for example). When you use a public WiFi you are broadcasting all of your data “in the clear” with typically no security whatsoever. This can include your emails, IM messages, web searches, and any other data sent or received over the wireless network.

Note that a VPN is different from a web proxy, which only redirects your browser connections. A VPN encrypts and redirects all your internet connections.

VPNs are also useful for keeping your online identity private. The web sites you visit and your online activities become reasonably anonymous, because your online connections are being routed through an anonymous computer. In fact, many people use VPNs to help them bypass censorship and limits imposed on them by their government.

If your work or school may also impose restrictions of your internet usage, a VPN can provide a secure tunnel to an unrestricted internet. Similarly, VPNs allow you to internationalize your online presence. Many websites (like Hulu) restrict content to specific countries, which can be frustrating if you are traveling away from your home country. Many people also use VPNs to help them bypass censorship and limits imposed on them by their government.

Which VPNs To Use?

There are many VPN services out there, here the VPN some recommendations:

• VPNs that focus privacy, and do not log your IP address and connections: Private Internet Access and IPVanish
• VPNs with servers in many countries: HMA and Astrill

Encrypt Your Email and Instant Messages

Encrypt emails you’d like to remain private. You can use Thunderbird + Enigmail to send encrypted email (using PGP). Use a secure Instant Message client or a plugin that supports OTR (Off-The-Record messaging). You can use Ekiga, a free video, phone and instant message application, or you can use the free instant message client Audium that supports OTR (Off-The-Record messaging).

Secure Your Computers

Set up your computer’s firewall. Only login in as an admin user when necessary. Use a strong passwords for your user accounts. Set your computer to log you out after 15 minutes. Encrypt your hard drives where possible. Some Mac and Linux installations have drive encryption built  into the operating system — you can turn on this encryption quite easily. You can also use Truecrypt, a piece of free software that can create encrypted drive disks that appear on your system as a regular files.

Secure Your Home Network

When setting up a wireless network use WPA2 encryption, use MAC address identification, set you network to not announce itself.

Set up you your router’s firewall — only open necessary ports.

Secure Your Mobile Devices

Secure your mobile devices with passwords, set them to log out after 5-15 minutes of inactivity. You can use a VPN on these phones and tablets. The process is a bit more tedious (mobile devices tend to disconnect VPNs quite often) but it does work.

Other Security Tools and Tips

Install a virus detector and malware (trojan horses, spyware, adware) detector. See our previous articles for recommended products: “The Top Rated Anti-Spyware Utilities For Macs” or “The Top Rated Anti-Virus Software For PCs“.

If you are interested in monitoring the internet connections by made by your computer, you can install a network monitor. This is another good way to discover malware on your system, but it requires you to do manual monitoring and researching. You can use the free Net Monitor for Windows or the Little Snitch ($30) for Macs.

Internet browsers and the plugins like Flash leave traces of your online activities on your computer. This files are not cleared away, even if you tell you browser to reset or if you clear your browser cookies and caches. You can install a computer “cleanser” to delete these additional logs and caches. A good example of a cleanser for Mac is Onyx (free).

Considering setting your computers to use OpenDNS for your DNS (domain name service). OpenDNS features phishing protection and misspelling correction, and optional content filtering.

You can back-up or store files securely in the “Cloud” using a paid service like Crashplan. This service can encrypt you files with 448 bit Blowfish encryption (very strong), and store them encrypted on Crashplan’s servers. You keep the encryption key — Crashplan never sees or stores the key.

Don’t open emails from questionable sources, and don’t install applications from questionable sources, especially those found on file sharing services (they tend to have malware, viruses or trojans). If you use a torrent client, set the client to use secure connections where possible, and set it to change to random ports if possible.

Tor is free software that routes Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network of servers. Like a VPN it can create private internet connections. Tor isn’t as comprehensive as a VPN because it only works with the applications set to use Tor as a proxy. Tor tend to create slower internet connections than a VPN, but it is a free service, and it is can be run in tandem with a VPN for an extra layer of privacy.

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