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Thread ID: 124873	2012-05-24 21:17:00	Hiddn Desktop - encryption for PC's	kingdragonfly (309)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1277200	2012-05-24 21:17:00	I'm posting this because there are practically no reviews of Hiddn Desktop. I work for a government agency, and purchased two for trail. www.hdd.no From the web site "The exclusive Desktop solution connects directly to the motherboard and the storage media; a 'plug and protect' solution. The combination of all encryption keys being stored on a separate smartcard (no keys stored in the device or on the storage media) and the optional two-factor authentication offers unprecedented protection!" "Simply install, authenticate, and start operating the computer as normal. From the moment the computer boots, all data is encrypted, and by removing the smartcard (upon power down, etc.), the user is assured that all data stored on the computer remains inaccessible to anyone not holding the smartcard." "The [hiddn] Desktop incorporates the company’s patented and certified [hiddn] Crypto Module and it is a standalone solution that operates transparently without the need for user intervention. It encrypts efficiently without affecting the system’s performance and is completely Operating System independent." It may be patented, but I couldn't find any certifications. The primary problem is a complete lack of support. The phone number and contact details are well-hidden, except for a single email address, support@hdd.no. I did manage to call them in Norway, 9:30 am in Oslo, only to be told to email them; the receptionist hung up without even saying good-bye. I sent emails via the website that went unanswered. From an email to support@hdd.no, I was sent a picture from the manual telling me to make sure I hadn't got the cables connected backwards. Also the web site leads you to believe it works with any motherboard / SATA controller and any SATA hard drive. I tried three SATA controllers, with Intel, Intio, and Marvel chipsets, and could never get the HDD recognized. The controllers were manufactured between 2005 and 2011, so it's not a simple case of not supporting the latest SATA standard. What is missing is the common BIOS diagnostic tools you see in every disk controller / RAID card. You know the ones: "press [some key] to enter [some software]" you get when you boot your PC. You only positive feedback is a green light. It only indicates the smart card was accepted. There's absolutely no feedback regarding a good connection to the motherboard or the hard drive. Other annoyances is the very strange, and fragile, cable connections. The cable is literally a ribbon cable with bare conductors. No traditional "male" connector. It's laid into a very fragile female connector, and a wedge is moved down. Again in 30 years in IT, I've never seen this style of connector. The ribbon cable could also be a little longer also. Due to a lack of contact, I suspect I'm going to be struggling to get an RMA, return materials authorization. So in conclusion, I'd avoid this product until helpdesk support is improved, and some kind of diagnostic software / LEDs are introduced. Cheers	kingdragonfly (309)
1277201	2012-05-24 21:26:00	I work for a government agency, and purchased two for trail. You'd better not be spending MY money on usless crap like that.	fred_fish (15241)
1277202	2012-05-24 21:30:00	Would you prefer your details to be found on an unencrypted disk? Did you notice I was trying to get an RMA, return materials authorization.	kingdragonfly (309)
1277203	2012-05-24 21:42:00	Would you prefer your details to be found on an unencrypted disk? As opposed to being owned by some fly-by-night Norwiegian front operation for Russian crackers - YES!	fred_fish (15241)
1277204	2012-05-24 21:56:00	That's a bit chauvinistic. Remember New Zealand shares more similarities to Norway than the US. How would you feel if someone were to say "Can't trust a Kiwi company because they could be a bunch of Chinese hackers"?	kingdragonfly (309)
1277205	2012-05-24 22:22:00	Personally I totally agree with Fred on this, you mentioned it yourself in the original post: The primary problem is a complete lack of support The first problem that comes to mind, what happens if the smartcard gets lost or damaged, or the card reader fails due to as you put "Other annoyances is the very strange, and fragile, cable connections. The cable is literally a ribbon cable with bare conductors." You're screwed if that happens/fails. I think I'd rather use well tried and true encryption methods rather than some never heard of, no support place overseas.	wainuitech (129)
1277206	2012-05-24 23:58:00	While there a number of software products, like Microsoft's Bitlocker, the performance is not very good. Hardware based products are practically non-existent. I'd love to buy a New Zealand made hard disk encryption products, of any kind. I don't think one exists so you're pretty much guaranteed it's overseas. There's very few solutions for HDD encryption. For example Seagate offers self encrypting drives. However it's only 128 bit, and impossible (???) to find a SATA hard disk controller that supports it. There's lots of articles, very little hardware you can purchase. I seriously doubt you'd get much installation support from Seagate. So if anyone can point me to self encrypting drives or HDD encryption through hardware, independent of a central office and the Internet, that actually can be purchased, I'd love to hear about it.	kingdragonfly (309)
1277207	2012-05-25 00:19:00	I'd personally say windows 7 built in encryption is pretty adequate for most things and performs ok, no experience with bitlocker beacuse I only have home premium. But I think it's good that you gave us a heads up on what a totallly useless product Hiddn Desktop is, might save someone else wasting money on it. Lets be honest here though, if you work for a government department and need to protect data you should be using a trusted professional solution from a known and trusted supplier. Anything else and you're asking to be the next news scandal.	dugimodo (138)
1277208	2012-05-25 00:37:00	Just a suggestion Perhaps something in the line of pass protected HD's (not encryption) . Im not sure how many drives support this & I have seen a few Laptop bios's that support HD pass protection . It basicly made the HD unusable if removed or if the pass wasnt known. Worth a look ? www.exlade.com	1101 (13337)
1277209	2012-05-25 01:03:00	Truecrypt. 'nuff said ;)	Chilling_Silence (9)
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