This kind of software is based on the principle of data encryption through AES 256 bit algorithm. This secure algorithm was introduced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA).
Below you will find a detailed instruction on how to use a BitLocker Drive Encryption (built-in in Windows 7) and free Rohos Mini Drive encryption utility. You will see the advantages of the encryption programs involved and their usage. As the tests show these encryption programs can be combined and used both at the same time to double the USB flash drive or hard disk data protection.

BitLocker Drive Encryption

It is a built-in feature in Windows 7. You will find it in the Start menu – Control Panel - BitLocker Drive Encryption.

In the Control Panel BitLocker offers you to encrypt any drives connected to the computer. In our case for our test purposes we are going to select a removable USB flash drive with a capacity of 1GB.
After pressing Turn On Bitlocker, a special window will pop up and suggest you to save or print the password to the drive in case you happen to forget it. You will also have to hide or encrypt the password to the drive which makes the encryption process a little bit more complicated.

Then, BitLocker Drive Encryption starts to encrypt the entire memory of the USB flash drive.

The password box to enter the password to the encrypted USB key

The encryption of the USB drive with 1 GB capacity took 11 minutes, so in case you decided to hide more data, you’ll have to be more patient and have some time in store.  
After encryption the USB drive remains accessible and you can work with it as you usually do it with a USB flash memory drive. After removing/disconnecting the USB flash drive, the disk will be disconnected and the next time you try to use it you will be asked for the password to the disk. In case you use a Hibernation/Sleep mode when the computer is turned off, the disk will remain open after switching your PC back on. The drive can be disconnected with the help of the icon on the taskbar or by removing it from USB connector.

Our verdict

Advantages:

• BitLocker is built-in in Windows 7 by default and doesn’t require additional expenses. You can open the encrypted USB flash drive on any PC with Windows 7 (even with the user account)
• The size of the encrypted disk is not limited.
• The access password to the disk can be changed.
• The reserved copy of the password is created immediately which will allow you to get access to the disk in case you lost your password.
• Encryption-on-the-fly is applied here.
• You can store on the encrypted disk whatever info you want including programs.

Disadvantages:

• The fact of encryption is quite obvious – while connecting the USB key you will be required to enter the password. The shortcut of the disk is marked with a yellow lock. This fact will exactly tell the attacker/cracker which one from USB keys contains hidden information.
• The use of this software is restricted it can run only on computers with Windows 7. You will not manage to get access to such disk with Windows XP/2000.
• You also will not be able to use the encrypted USB disk for other purposes - for instance, connect it to Mac or DVD player for playing music or video. Or simply use it for storing the files which do not need to be protected.
  Rohos Mini Drive

Rohos Mini Drive

This free utility is designed to encrypt personal data to be stored on any disk drive - both built-in and portable one. Rohos Mini creates a hidden container on the USB key and protects it with a password. In the secret container all the data are securely kept in the encrypted form.   
Install the encryption utility on your USB key and start the program to encrypt the disk. The flash drive is supposed to be 1 GB as it was in the previous test.  
In the main program window select “Encrypt USB flash drive”.

The program will automatically detect the size of the disk and give it a drive letter and NTFS format. You can change all these parameters by yourself.  
Specify the password to the disk and press “Create Disk”.

The password box to enter the password to the encrypted USB key

1 GB encryption took about 6 minutes. After the encryption the encrypted disk explorer pops up. The encrypted disk is assigned with a special letter (in our case it will be R:\).
The encryption is performed “on the fly”, you only need to copy the necessary file to the disk or disk folder. After you have finished working with the secret Rohos Disk you can disconnect it right in the main program window with the help of the icon in the taskbar of the Rohos Mini Drive. For convenience we created a shortcut for the encrypted disk. When connecting the USB flash disk, click on the shortcut to enter the password to the disk. There is no need to remove the USB flash drive to hide the data access. This allows you to continue working with the USB flash drive after disconnecting the Rohos disk.

Advantages:

• Free software. You can encrypt up to 2 GB memory on the USB flash disk
• Does not reveal the fact of encryption – the flash drive will look like usual USB disk and you will be the only one who is aware of hidden Rohos disk.
• You can access the disk from any computer and with any Windows operating system (even under the user account restriction).
• You can use the USB drive for other purposes and for such systems as Linux or Mac. USB flash drive is not locked completely as it is in case with BitLocker.
• The access password to the disk can be changed.
• A reserved copy of the password is created separately which allows you to get access to the disk in case your password is lost.
• “Encryption-on-the-fly” is applied here.
• On the encrypted disk you can store whatever info you want including the programs.

Disadvantages:

• The size limit of the encrypted disk - for Rohos Mini Drive free version – is 2 GB. But you can take advantage of Rohos Disk (for-fee version) in this case the size of the encrypted disk has no limits.

BitLocker + Rohos Mini = double protection

As it was mentioned before, the double safety of your data can be achieved through combining BitLocker and Rohos Mini Drive programs. You will do both provide your data with double protection and create an additional secret partition on the USB disk which will be also secured   with a separate password. Double safety is a double trust.  
You need first create the encrypted partition with the help of Rohos Mini Drive utility and then by means of BitLocker specify additional password to your USB flash drive.

In this case you might share the BitLocker safety password with your family members while the Rohos Disk password is to be kept only between you and the utility itself.

Download Rohos Mini Drive

Face is the innate and unique people’s feature. It is used in the biometric authentication methods equally as a fingerprint, an iris, a voice.  Face recognition based on the neural network technology is a save way to log into Windows. No more needless typing of a regular password, just smile to your web camera.

Tesline-Service SRL has released Rohos Face Logon v2.9 recently. We are glad to share our innovations with you. During future two weeks, we announce a Giveaway for Rohos Face Logon.

How to get free license for Rohos Face Logon v.2.9:

1. Write a short story “Why do you prefer face authentication as a secure way to log into Windows? What do you like about Rohos Face Logon?”.
2. Send it to us vie e-mail on soft2@rohos.com

The best stories will get free license keys for Rohos Face Logon v.2.9. We will publish most liked stories in our Blog.

5 Licenses are available, try your skills in writing to win Rohos Software!

The dead-line of the contest is the 11th of May.

We believe in your talent and brilliance.  Good Luck!

During last months, we have tasted Rohos Logon Key for Mac OS. We no more regard it as a beta version.  It’s a new level of security for your Mac. Rohos Logon Key for Lion OS is a save way to protect your private information on any laptop or computer.

We would like to return thanks to our users for their contribution and feedback. For everybody who has tested software. It helps us to improve program, to fix minor bugs.
We congratulate all the users who got free license key for being involved in the test period.

We announce a release of the advanced version - Rohos Disk Encryption v.1.9 – with the final updates and new function. The Rohos Disk Encryption program allows you to store the information encrypted on any USB flash drive, hard drive or CD/DVD. We use one of the most secure data encryption algorithms - AES 256 bit.  «Encryption on-the-fly» is an instant process hiding your personal information and confidential data any time you work with them.

Advantages of the Rohos Disk

• Secure storage and transport of personal information on any data storage device
• The data are encrypted and you are the only one who has access to them. Enter the secret password or insert the USB key and your private disk will be connected for further work with it.
• The size of the encrypted disk is not limited and it can be increased if required, so, you can protect all the personal info available.

Easy-to-use encryption with the help of Rohos Disk:

• Set up any USB flash drive as a key to access your private disk. Now, there is no necessity to remember the password to the disk.
• Reserved copy reminder – this software will inform you just in time whenever a reserved copy of the disk needs to be done.
• There is no need for prior installation of the program on the host computer to get access to the disk. The portable Rohos Disk Browser utility allows you to open the encrypted Rohos disk on any computer even without requiring any administrative rights.

Let us note some of the Rohos Disk improvements:

1. We fixed the problem when the interface of the main program window displayed only partially.
2. As you encrypt the first disk, the folders on it are created by default (documents, programs, etc.) Now after creating the second disk the folders are not generated by default.
   
3. We added the function of the forced lock of the encrypted disk in the time interval indicated. The built-in timer will lock the secret disk as soon as the time set by the user expires. If the user has left his computer and is inactive during the whole time interval set or turned on the hibernation mode, the locking function will work automatically. After getting back to work the Rohos Disk will ask for password to the secret disk. You’ll have 25 seconds to enter the password to the secret disk or connect secure USB token – the encrypted key with the password to the disk. If you fail to enter the right password the disk will be disconnected (more…)
   
4. Updates in Rohos Disk Browser.

Download Rohos Disk v.1.9 (30 days demo)

What’s new:

1. When you use “Allow to login only by USB Key” feature, you may define a set of users that will be able still to login by a regular password (without USB Key). Please note:
- By default current user is added to this list automatically.
- We recommend to set it to TS Admin user name
- If it is blank: regular password based login will be disabled (ensure that you have defined Emergency Login or have a valid USB Key)

2. On the Windows 7/2008 logon screen you have Rohos logon icon.

Now it contains User name and password fields. This is designed specially for network Admins to be able to access computer in a regular way locally or via Remote Desktop.

3. User Account Control credentials prompt with Rohos icon. Now you can regular use here User Name and password.

4. On Windows 7/ 2008 Rohos logon key creates “Rohos Logon Key (User)” shortcut that allows regular users to setup and manage USB Key for Windows authentication.

5. Rohos Logon Key allows to setup redirected USB flash drive as a Login Key for Windows Remote Desktop. On the screenshot “\\tsclient\G” is a USB flash drive connected to client PC. After setting up this USB drive it will contain also portable Rohos components to login into Remote Desktop from any PC with this Key (without installing Rohos on it)

A few notes about Windows Remote Desktop services support

Today In most configurations “Network Level Authentication” option is used on a Windows Terminal Server (TS). It  means after providing credentials in the MS Remote Desktop Connection user login straight into Remote Desktop (without entering credentials at login screen).

In this case you need to use “Allow to login only by USB Key” option in Rohos Logon Key (installed on TS). So NLA will be used anyway but in addition require USB Key in Terminal Server login screen. This will enforce 2-factor authentication principle : Remote Desktop users will be able to provide credentials at RDC and USB Key will be verified also.

If you are Network Administrator you will be able to login into TS by using regular username/password .

Download Rohos Logon Key release with this improvements.

• How to repair Rohos disk?
• How to log in Windows if the USB key is defected?

In case you don’t manage to solve the problem, contact us vie Support.

Likewise we offer remote support by TeamViewer. The remote session occurs in real time. You will be able to see every step made by technician. The cost of the service 20 Euro/hour. You make payment, after we have fixed the issue. The payment is proceeded through our Internet-shop (Credit Card, Paypal, Bank etc..)

How to establish connection remotely on your computer?

1. Previously send us message vie support.
2. Reserve the convenient time for remote session during 10:00 AM to 16:00 PM + 3:00 GTM
3. Download TeamViewer software (free version)
4. You should launch TeamViewer if you ready to start (no need of any installation on the any PC/laptop)
5. Send us the ID, the password generated by Quick Support module.
6. Do not close the TimeViewer window. Wait connection.
7. When connection will be established you will note that.

Now you have yourself and USB flash drive to lock/unlock your PC or notebook.

Rohos Face Logon security advantages:

• Automatic login or desktop unlock when your face is recognized.
• Self-training - helps avoiding face recognition failure.
• Multi-user support - You may register faces of several users for any user account!
• All registered face patterns are saved and poor ones may be deleted.
• USB flash drive as a key to your computer or notebook.

What’s new?

• Allows to use USB drive as a backup login key
• Rohos Face Logon now translated into French and Russian languages.
• Power saving feature - now face recognition starts after use move mouse or touch keyboard.

Rohos Face Logon Main Window

Unique features:

1. You may hide the fact of presence of Face Recognition authentication;
2. Authentication variety - your password, Face or USB Key;
3. Self-training possibility to improve recognition process;
4. Power saving - face recognition may stop camera usage if there is no person in front of the PC;

Try new Rohos Face Logon (Fully functional 15-day trial): Download Now
Or get it now with 30% discount: Buy Now

Known issues:

• We was not able to support new Lion login screen with user icons
• Rohos replaces login screen with a generic-style - “Please Enter User name and password” (see on the screenshot)
• Restart/Sleep buttons doesnt work for a while on the login screen

Rohos Logon Key features:

• Two-factor authentication: PIN code + USB flash drive.
• Transform any USB flash drive into the key to your MAC.
• You don’t need to enter your password manually each time you unlock your Mac or system preferences.
• Easy-to-use and configure.
• Supports Yubikey, USB Drive,Touchatag, Bluetooth devices for authentication
• Unlock system keychain by using USB Key.

Rohos Logon Key - Logging into OS X Lion:

Lock/Unlock System Preferences:

Thank you for everybody who stay with us looking forward for a new release for Lion!

Download Rohos Logon Key for MAC v2.4

Download and unzip the package - use RohosLogonInstallv2.4_for_lion(betta).pkg

New release Status is Betta - because a few things may work unstable and we are still continue code polishing and testing. Tested on Mac OS X 10.7.2

If it doesnt work for you - please use RohosUninstall.app within the Setup ZIP file you have downloaded. Your feedback will be appreciated.

Rohos Face Logon Freeware Benefits:

Known issues:
Make as many patterns as possible, with different lighting that makes the program recognize you faster.

You can make funny faces that software save mugs as a patterns.

An malefactor won’t be able to use your photo as a logging key.

Download Rohos Face Logon Freeware edition.

Today we would like to announce new secure disconnect by timeout feature for Rohos Disk. You can activate this security option to protect your sensitive data in Rohos Disk. At the time of you, use Sleep or Hibernate mode to save power of your computer or laptop this feature is very useful. After awaking up from Sleep or Hibernate Rohos Disk will ask you to enter the password or to plug in the USB key with password. Sometimes you cannot manage to keep an eye on everything that’s why we add Timeout option.

How it works in other encryption software

There are many disk encryption tools (TrueCrypt, OTFE) over the web with the ‘disconnect by the timeout‘ feature. It may work in a few plain and simple ways:

• if there is no disk activity for a long time - it will be disconnected forcedly.
• if there is no user activity for a long time - it will disconnect the disk.

But this may lead to data loss because the disk will be disconnected forcedly.

How it works in Rohos Disk Encryption

Rohos Disk uses the same principle but in a more elegant way.

• Once you paused your PC or closed the lid of the laptop - your virtual encrypted disk is got “locked”. The passphrase window will appear after the you resume your PC or open the laptop. You will have 25 seconds to enter password or to insert your secure token – key to Rohos Disk. If the password wasn’t entered the disk is dismounting automatically.

• Your encrypted information, Internet applications and hidden folders will remain out of reach for other people. Private data became inaccessible.

How to enable this feature:

Open Rohos Disk> Options > check on “Re-authenticate rohos disk after Windows resume”

Your security advantages with this feature:

• Just close your laptop - to lock your Encrypted Disk
• By using a Sleep (or Hibernate) feature in Windows - you are locking your private disk.
• The opened Applications and Documents from the disk remains open but in order to continue to work with it - you need to enter disk password again.

Download Rohos Disk Encryption (Shareware-30 days)