Abstract: A method of operating a storage system includes using the device driver to combine a password, the key salt, and the number of iterations to generate a primary key, using the device driver to generate a key schedule from the primary key, receiving an encrypted master key at the device driver, and using the device driver to decrypt the encrypted master key with the key schedule.

Abstract: A method of operating a storage system includes using a device driver coupled to a storage device to encrypt a key salt and a number of iterations, storing the encrypted key salt and the encrypted number of iterations in a secure storage area of the storage device, using the device driver to combine a password, the key salt, and the number of iterations to generate a primary key, using the device driver to generate a key schedule from the primary key, receiving an encrypted master key at the device driver, and using the device driver to decrypt the encrypted master key with the key schedule.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of operating a storage system includes combining a password, a first number, and a number of iterations to produce a first key, encrypting the first key, receiving a second number, and encrypting the second number with the first key to produce an encrypted second key.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of operating a storage system includes combining a password, a first number, and a number of iterations to produce a first key, encrypting the first key, receiving a second number, and encrypting the second number with the first key to produce an encrypted second key.

Abstract: Methods and removable devices are provided. Some such removable devices may include a secure partition and a public partition. The secure partition is not accessible by an operating system of a host for some embodiments. The secure partition is configured to store information so that formatting/reformatting does not alter the stored information for other embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and removable devices are provided. Some such removable devices may include a secure partition and a public partition. The secure partition is not accessible by an operating system of a host for some embodiments. The secure partition is configured to store information so that formatting/reformatting does not alter the stored information for other embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and removable storage devices are provided. Some such removable storage devices may include a file specifying a name of a program to be executed automatically by a host, may include settings for a secure storage area, where the settings are user-configurable, may include a secure partition that is not accessible by an operating system of a host, may be configured to cause a health of the removable device to be automatically checked when the removable device is coupled to a host, may be configured to cause a program for formatting the removable device to be executed when the removable device is coupled to a host, or may include a secure partition configured to store information so that formatting/reformatting does not alter the stored information.

Abstract: Methods and removable storage devices are provided. Some such removable storage devices may include a file specifying a name of a program to be executed automatically by a host, may include settings for a secure storage area, where the settings are user-configurable, may include a secure partition that is not accessible by an operating system of a host, may be configured to cause a health of the removable device to be automatically checked when the removable device is coupled to a host, may be configured to cause a program for formatting the removable device to be executed when the removable device is coupled to a host, or may include a secure partition configured to store information so that formatting/reformatting does not alter the stored information.

Abstract: In an embodiment, when a removable storage device is removably coupled to a host, the removable storage device indicates that it is non-removable to the host. The removable storage device may include a user-created secure storage area.

Abstract: In an embodiment, when a removable storage device is removably coupled to a host, the removable storage device indicates that it is non-removable to the host. The removable storage device may include a user-created secure storage area.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a secure storage system includes a removable storage device having a secure storage area for storage of secure data and a public storage area and device port for coupling the removable storage device to a host, the removable storage device appearing, to the host, to be non-removable so that the secure storage area remains hidden and the secure data remains secure.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is displayed for purchase by a user and includes a controller and a protected area for storing a key and a bar code associated with and for identifying the device including a password unique to the device, wherein upon purchase of the device, the password is compared to the key and upon successful activation thereof, the device is activated, otherwise, the device is rendered inoperable.