From hacking to accidents, the diskAshur Pro3 from iStorage is the data guardian you need
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In today’s digital age, protecting your valuable data and electronic personal information data from hackers, scammers, and prying eyes is more crucial than ever. Beyond that, there’s also the risk of losing cherished family photos or important files through an accidental mishap. The same is true for your terabytes of backup files, often stored on external hard drives, typically out of sight and out of mind.
A smart, solid solution is the diskAshur Pro3 bootable external hard drive from U.K.-based iStorage Ltd.
This third-generation model is not only portable but also rugged, housed in a durable anodized aluminum enclosure. With an IP68 certification, it’s water- and dust-resistant, making it ideal for protecting your data in challenging environments.
The diskAshur Pro3 goes beyond basic hardware protection. It secures your data against USB controller vulnerabilities and even firmware-level hacking attempts. The onboard data is encrypted using one of three selectable encryption modes, ensuring that the data remains unreadable even if the drive falls into the wrong hands.
 The diskAshur Pro3 comes with an anodized aluminum enclosure. |
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Access is protected by an 8-64 digit alphanumeric PIN, entered via the onboard backlit keypad, somewhat reminiscent of a traditional telephone dial pad. Instead of the common asterisk (*) and pound (#) symbols, the diskAshur Pro3 features a shift (arrow-up) and unlock (open padlock) key on the bottom left and right, respectively. The shift allows for added character choices beyond 0-9, making brute-force attacks nearly impossible.
Three multifunctional LEDs on the enclosure indicate the drive’s status: red for locked or standby mode, green for unlocked, and blue for Admin mode. Since the drive has no onboard display, feedback or status updates like changing the admin password or configuring encryption are indicated through a series of LED light patterns. This might feel like Morse code for tech, so keeping the manual nearby could be handy unless you have a photographic memory.
Without the PIN, the drive is inaccessible, and unlike many devices that rely on easily hacked factory default passwords, diskAshur Pro3 requires users to set their own PIN upon setup.
For added security and better control, diskAshur Pr03, like all of iStorage’s secure drive products, can be configured with independent Admin and User PINs as well as a one-time PIN for recovery. The drive can also be set to read-only mode to prevent changes and auto-lock when removed. These features are handy if the drive is shared among multiple users or departments or when sending data to a client. At home, it can be used for sharing photos and videos among family members, ensuring no one deletes or adds anything without permission or forgets to lock it when done.
In case of a brute-force attack, access is limited to the Admin after 10 incorrect attempts at entering a User PIN. If the Admin PIN is entered incorrectly 10 times, the drive self-destructs, and the data is lost. Similarly, if the drive is lost or stolen, you can force it to self-destruct by entering the self-destruct PIN.
On top of PIN protection, the drive is physically tamper-proof. The keypad is coated with polymer to resist wear, so frequently used keys don’t give away the PIN. The internal components are encased in ultra-tough epoxy resin, making it virtually impossible to disassemble without destroying the drive completely.
For those familiar with the diskAshur Pro2, this latest iteration introduces several welcome enhancements. It still operates via USB bus power and doesn’t require an on/off switch, but the integrated USB-A cable has been replaced by a more versatile USB-C port. The older cable design was less practical for users with different USB-equipped devices, and if the cable failed, the drive was unusable. The newest SSD models are also up to 25 percent faster, with read/write speeds of up to 450MB/s compared to 360MB/s previously. The PIN character limit has also increased from 15 to 64.
Despite its advanced features, the diskAshur Pr03 is easy to use and doesn’t require any drivers or software installation. It’s compatible with almost any operating system and any device with a USB port.
While the initial cost is higher than a typical external hard drive, consider the potential loss – both financially and personally – if your sensitive data were to be compromised.
The diskAshur Pro3 provides robust data protection and peace of mind. It measures only 131mm long by 83mm wide and only 20.8mm deep. It comes with a quick-start guide, a zippered carry case, USB-C/USB-A and USB-C/USB-C cables, a three-year warranty and lifetime technical support. It also includes a free one-year license of Nero BackItUp and iStorage DriveSecurity software.
The diskAshur Pro3 is available in capacities ranging from 512GB to 16TB, with prices starting at $515. You can find it at select retailers or through iStorage’s shop on Amazon.ca.
The (non-Pro) diskAshur3 is also available for those on a more limited budget. It features a less robust ABS plastic housing than the Pro model and lacks the FIPS 140-3 LVL 3 (pending) certification for tamper-resistant identity-based authentication. Desktop models are also available.
For additional details, check out Storage.
Greg Gazin, also known as Gadget Guy or Gadget Greg, is a Troy Media columnist with deep expertise in technology. He’s also a respected speaker on communication, leadership, and tech-related topics. Beyond writing, Gazin is a versatile professional who works as a facilitator, blogger, podcaster, and author. His broad range of skills and insights has made him a prominent and influential voice in the tech community.
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