The 8TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive from Apricorn is a secure desktop hard drive with on-the-fly 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption, PIN access, and a heat-dissipating aluminum enclosure.

The plug-and-play Aegis Padlock DT desktop drive boasts brute-force protection, the ability to wipe itself via a self-destruct PIN, and forced administrator and user enrollment. Its administrator feature allows enrollment of up to four unique user PINs and one administrator PIN, making it ideal for collaboration. The Padlock DT also features a wear-resistant keypad and a lock slot for additional security. It is preformatted NTFS for Windows, but may be reformatted with Mac, Linux, Android, and Chrome.

8TB Capacity    USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface    AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption    PIN Management    Plug-and-Play    Software-Free Installation    Lock Slot and Wear-Resistant Keypad    Self-Destruct PIN and Forced Enrollment    Heat-Dissipating Aluminum Enclosure    Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

The heart and soul of every Apricorn Secure Device, AegisWare is their atent-protected firmware combined with the industry's most advanced feature set.

Featuring AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, the Aegis Padlock DT seamlessly encrypts all data on the drive on-the-fly, keeping all data at rest safe even if the hard drive is extracted from its enclosure.

Create custom profiles and mass configure multiple devices in a matter of seconds using the Aegis Configurator, an app designed for Windows. To configure an expanded number of devices, use the Powered Aegis Configurator Hub bundle.

The Aegis Secure Key supports independent Admin and User PINs. The Admin mode controls the universal programmable settings of the device and can only be accessed with the Admin PIN. The User mode is limited to basic external drive functions like read/write, unlock/lock, etc. The data on the encrypted storage drive can also be accessed with the admin PIN in the User mode.

Until the device is unlocked using its keypad, it remains invisible to the host. The embedded keypad circumvents all hardware and software key logging attempts to capture passwords by excluding the host system from the authentication process. Polymer-coated buttons are wear-resistant and designed to not reveal most commonly used buttons.

Out of the box, there are no factory pre-set default PINs. In order to set up and use the drive, a unique PIN must first be established by the Admin, from within the Admin mode.

Once a device is configured by the Admin, it can then be deployed in a state of USER FORCED ENROLLMENT in which the User must first establish his or her own User PIN before the encrypted storage drive can be accessed or used.

In the event that a User PIN is forgotten, Recovery PINs can be programmed into the device to permit access to the drive's data by creating a new state of User Forced Enrollment while the Admin PIN and the drive's data remain intact. Once a replacement User PIN is generated, access to the drive is restored for the user.

Employed in situations that require the encrypted storage drive's contents to be kept intact and unaltered for later examination. The two Read-Only modes are as follows: Universal Read Only is set by the admin from within the admin mode and can't be modified or disabled by anyone but the admin. The second read-only mode can be set and disabled by a user but can also be enabled or disabled by the admin as well.

The longer the PIN, the more secure the data on the device becomes. For example, the odds of brute force success go from 1/10,000,000 with a 7-digit PIN to 1/100,000,000 with an 8 digit PIN. In cases where the User sets up his or her own PIN from User Forced Enrollment, the Admin can set an enhanced User password length requirement as part of the overall security policy.

All Aegis Secure Drives are unlocked (authenticated) by entering a PIN on their own onboard keypad. Since the PIN is not entered using the host computer's keyboard, they are not vulnerable to software or hardware-based keyloggers or software-based brute force attacks. However, if the device comes under a physical brute force attack, your data is protected with a programmable "Brute Force Hack Defense Mechanism" which, if the programmed number (between 4 and 20) of consecutive incorrect password entries has been attempted, the device will delete its own encryption key and destroy the ability to decrypt its stored data.

All Aegis Secure Drives will automatically lock once disconnected from a computer's USB port or the power to that USB port is interrupted, or after a pre-programmed period of inactivity.

Designated for specific cases in which the key needs to remain unlocked through USB port re-enumeration such as during reboot, or passing through a virtual machine.

Drive reset clears both the User and Admin PINs, destroys the data, creates a new randomly generated encryption key, and allows the drive to be reused repeatedly, with an infinite number of randomly generated encryption keys, allowing the admn and or user to reset the encrypted storage drive as often as is needed.

The last line of defense for data security when the device's physical security is at risk. The Self-Destruct PIN defends against these physically compromising situations by erasing the key's contents, leaving it in normal working order appearing yet to be deployed.

Visually confirms successful button presses via the device's LEDs.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How long is the USB cable?

A: The USB cable that came with my drive is approximately 49 in. tip to tip.

Q: 2. Can this drive be operated horizontally rather than vertically?

A: Yes, you can turn the Seagate 18TB Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive sideways and nothing bad will happen.

Q: 3. I don't have an Apple Time Machine. Does this mean that I can't just plug the 4TB external drive to my iMac and use it? Also, can I transfer what I have on other external drives to this one?

A: You can use it as an external drive. You can transfer files from the hard drive on the Mac to the external drive. Time Machine is simply a built-in optional backup feature ofyour Mac. When you connect an external hard drive directly to your Mac, you will be asked if you want to use the drive to back up with Time Machine.

Q: 4. can this drive be password protected?

A: The Seagate 10TB Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive does not have password protection.

Q: 5. What RPM is the hard drive?

A: It's a very high speed drive, but what really matters is the USB 3.0 connection. Don't worry about the speedy unless you will use it as a actual outside drive. Mind the connection

Q: 6. Is this capable of being used for consoles as a game drive?

A: This could be used by most game consoles.

Q: 7. Does this drive have an on/off switch?

A: No, WD 6TB My Book Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive does not have a physical on/off switch. It is designed to power on and off automatically with the computer. If you need to power it down manually, you would need to safely eject the hard drive from the computer and then disconnect the power supply.

Q: 8. Can the Seagate 16TB be used on Windows 7 as well as Windows 10?

A: Yes, this Seagate 16TB Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 external hard drive is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 10.

Q: 9. WD backup software works on Mac´s HD formatted?

A: Yes, the software can be downloaded and will work on any file format. IT is compatible with OSX and Windows.

Q: 10. Is it normal for this drive to make a random thumping noise every 5-10 seconds? I bought the 14TB one recently and the noise is concerning.

A: I would recommend contacting WD to discuss the behavior. It is possible that the drive could be defective.