Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard
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Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard
3.5/5 Buy on Amazon
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 is a decent encrypted flash drive, but unless you have a very specific security need, it's probably not worth the cost.
Privacy and security are priorities for many when choosing a device to store their data. Given the threats of hacking and malware attacks, encrypting your device is the best way to protect yourself from them.
Unfortunately, regular flash drives do not have built-in security, which puts your data at risk if it is lost or stolen. All you have to do to access the data is connect the drive to a compatible device and open it.
The Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 solves this problem by protecting sensitive files with an alphanumeric keyboard and deleting them if an unauthorized user tries to hack.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 – Hybrid Design
At first glance, the Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 looks like a hybrid of a numeric keypad and a flash drive, and in some ways it is it is.
IronKey is about the same size as a regular flash drive: 3.14 x 0.79 x 0.42 inches and weighs 0.88 ounces. However, its width does not allow it to be easily plugged in next to other connected accessories. When connecting it to the 2022 MacBook Air, it left no space between itself and the other connected accessory in the adjacent port.
To protect against water and dust, the drive body is coated with durable epoxy resin, which meets the IP57 certificate. This means that IronKey is protected from limited ingress of dust and immersion in water to a depth of 15 centimeters to one meter.
The front panel contains an alphanumeric keypad with a PIN code, used to unlock and access the contents of the drive. Although the IronKey's overall size is small, the numbers and letters on each key are still large enough to be seen without squinting.
Alphanumeric Keyboard Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200
Using the alphanumeric keyboard, you have the ability to create a numeric or text PIN code to unlock the drive.
Each key has a layer of polymer on top that hides fingerprints and protects them from any potential damage. Hiding any added fingerprints will prevent others from guessing your password based on the fingerprints you leave behind.
Above the alphanumeric keypad there are two lock icons: one locked and one unlocked. An illuminated indicator under any of them will indicate the current state or mode the IronKey is in.
Keyboard Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200
Included in the kit IronKey is a cover that fits snugly to the drive. The company and product name is printed on the outside, and the keyboard is protected from damage during travel.
For convenience, there is a non-removable wire cable at the end of the drive. This design option allows you to hang the IronKey on a keychain or hook.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard — Customized compatibility and capacity size
Usually the import and export speed is the same for all capacities, but the Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 uses a different method. Depending on the capacity and version of the USB you will determine the read and write speeds the drive is capable of.
USB-C flash drives ranging from 8GB to 32GB will read at 145MB per second and write at 115MB per second. Drives with capacities between 64 and 512 GB will read at the same speed as smaller capacity drives, but will write at 20 MB per second.
Inside the IronKey is a rechargeable battery that receives power every time you plug it into your device, ensuring compatibility with any operating system. With USB-C, you can connect it to any device that supports it, such as the iPhone 15, compatible iPads, and Mac computers.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard — Maximum security
The Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 provides the highest level of security to keep your imported documents safe. However, this makes accessing your documents not as simple as plugging in a drive and diving into them.
IronKey provides strong security with a military-grade FIPS 140-3 Level 3 encryption rating, meeting the latest US and Canadian government standards for cryptographic equipment. This is also combined with 256-bit XTS-AES encryption for sector-specific data protection. Simply put, your documents are securely protected with IronKey.
The first time you use IronKey, you must create a user PIN to unlock the drive. The access code must contain between 8 and 15 digits or symbols, cannot consist of only repeating digits, and cannot consist of consecutive digits in a row.
Once you create your User PIN, you will use it to unlock the drive every time you want to access the data on it. However, connecting the IronKey before entering the password will result in the drive remaining undetectable.
With IronKey's built-in battery, you can easily enter a password and unlock the drive before connecting it to your device. This is useful when connecting IronKey to computers whose ports are located behind them or in hard-to-reach places.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 keyboard is unlocked
After entering the PIN code, the indicator under the unlock icon will turn solid green, indicating the drive is ready for use. You will have 30 seconds to connect it to your device before it automatically locks again.
After you finish working with the disk, you can remove it from the device, automatically locking it for security purposes. This means you don't have to physically lock it every time you remove the drive from the device.
While the User PIN allows you to access most of IronKey's features, the Administrator PIN helps you do more. Setting up an Administrator PIN follows the same requirements as a User PIN and provides deeper access to the security features offered.
The administrator PIN is the same as the user's parent PIN. If you have forgotten or mistyped your User PIN ten times, you can use the Administrator PIN to access the drive and reset the User PIN.
However, unlike the user PIN, if the administrator PIN is forgotten, you will have to reset the drive — deleting all content on it — and create new code from scratch. If the Administrator PIN is entered incorrectly ten times in a row, IronKey will automatically erase all contents of the drive and return it to factory settings.
Also, when you share the drive with a friend or use it on an unprotected computer, there is a global read-only mode. This allows the disk to be limited to reading data and prevents any data from being written to it.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 — Maximum security that isn't for everyone
The Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 is an impressive flash drive that offers maximum security in a minimalist design. Although anyone can use it, that doesn't mean it's ideal for everyone.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard and Case
What makes the IronKey special is how it excels at transferring files. During our tests, it efficiently imported more than two gigabytes of data in less than twenty seconds, while simultaneously moving multiple folders onto itself.
While the security and data transfer speeds are impressive, getting only 8GB of storage for $75 isn't. Depending on what you use the IronKey for will determine whether there is enough storage space, but for many this is not the case.
Due to its careful implementation of security, IronKey is better suited for high-level people such as lawyers, doctors and politicians. However, if you store sensitive information about yourself digitally — such as birth certificate, social security number, and bank information — then IronKey is a great option.
If you need a secure place to store your digital documents, then the Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard is worth a look. However, if you need a flash drive to store family vacation photos and journal entries, a regular flash drive will do the trick.
Kingston Keyboard IronKey USB Type-C 200 — Pros
- Strong security measures
- Numeric or alphabetic password options
- Compatible with all operating systems and USB-C devices
- Offers different modes for different actions.
Kingston IronKey USB Type-C 200 Keyboard — Cons
- Blocks other accessories from accessing adjacent ports
- Different capacities provide different read and write speeds
- High price
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Where to buy Kingston IronKey USB Type – C Keypad 200
You can purchase the Kingston IronKey USB Type-C Keypad 200 on their website starting at $74.99 and on Amazon starting at $76.99. It is available in blue color and has storage options ranging from 8GB to 512GB.
