Victorinox Secure USB Drives No Longer Offer Secure Data Lock, Offers Refunds
Some things in life are just too good to be true. Such is the case with Victorinox’s secure USB drives. The idea of it was undoubtedly inventive and convenient – a USB flash drive that offers secure data lock storage built into a penknife – two handy gadgets that are often required on a daily basis. From the makers of the popular and classic Swiss Army knives, the Victorinox secure USB drive offered a VeriSign security program that promised great features that include as an encrypted partition, biometric authentication and secure password management.
Consequently, these developments would necessitate users to back up the data on their USB drives on another device as the encryption application (the VeriSign security program) would cease to exist on September 15, 2012. To sum up, the security software, which was a primary selling point for this gadget, would no longer be available.
No More Support
In August 2012, Victorinox issued a statement that was sent to customers via email and through Facebook post, which expressed that the company would end software support, therefore halting any updates to their security software and discontinuing services to their website.
Although the company isn’t looking to pull out of the custom shape flash drive market (stating that they “have decided to only offer pure knife products with appropriate hardware” and refer a third party to matters related to software while continuing to release their own line of flash drives/penknives), the addition of a penknife to a standard USB isn’t enough to justify the price for this device. The Victorinox Secure retailed for $252 for a 16GB drive; therefore, without the security features, there are few reasons for one to pay so much for a USB that happens to have a penknife attached to it. Instead, there are a number of companies and anyone can look for a USB drive with a data lock feature that keeps the data more safely contained.
Refund
In order to quell the storm of those who purchased the Victorinox Secure primarily because of the security system, Victorinox is offering a full refund to customers until December 31, 2012. By filling out an online form, unhappy customers will be contacted by a member of the Victorinox support team who will issue the refund within two weeks.
Victorinox certainly tried to combine the convenience of a Swiss Army knife with secure data storage but fell short when they had to revoke the coveted security system. Although you can still get a penknife/flash drive, it won’t come with a top notch security system.
Refunds are available at: victorinox.com.
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