Kensington Personal Firewall, USB Security Key, Mobile Security for Windows Notebooks

by Kensington

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009O7Y10
• Item model number: 64183
• Average Customer Review: 1.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2005

Product Description

Serious protection - anywhere anytimeProduct Information[Manufacturer's Part Number:  64183]The Kensington Personal Firewall for Notebooks protects your identity and datain all wireless environments. USB key based system will not interfere withcorporate firewalls or anti-virus software.  It makes mobile security easyand simple! The Personal Firewall is Plug-and-use industrial strength firewallsecurity on a USB Key - the most effective protection for your valuable datawhen you are on the road.Product Features Mobile security has never been easier - USB key based plug and play firewall. Detects and protects against hackers in all wireless environments - even outside corporate firewalls Hides your identity from the Internet. Safeguards important data stored on your notebook. Simply plug the key into your notebook to activate the firewall; remove the key to disable. Protection will not interfere with corporate firewall and anti-virus software.Includes USB key Instruction manualWindows Requirements Windows XP Home Edition or Professional PC compatible notebook computer USB Port: One available port - USB version 1.1 or 2.0 Due to the type of product packaging once this product has been opened it isnon-returnable. If the product is defective it will be exchanged for the sameproduct. No cash refunds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily bad, and badly documented, product., March 3, 2007

By 

steveji (Pleasanton, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kensington Personal Firewall, USB Security Key, Mobile Security for Windows Notebooks (Personal Computers)

Once I installed it, it proceeded to close down all communications through my internet connection. I guess you could consider it to be a bulletproof firewall, as no data could get in or out of my computer. I had to reboot twice after uninstalling it to get things back to normal. To be generous about the experrience, it's possible that installing it introduced some conflict with my existing ZoneAlarm firewall (a product I recommend unequivocally, btw). I had bought the thing because of the claim that it would protect my data when working in a wireless hotspot. I assumed, therefore, that it would offer some data protection capability over and above what an ordinarly firewall offers. For $10, it seemed a reasonable gamble. Now that I've tried it, there's no need for the rest of you to spend your hard-earned $$$ on this thing. It does have a cute light that glows green when you plug it in.

Unfortunately, the product comes with virtually zero documentation on its features or its use. Kensington must not much like the product either, as there's no information about it whatsoever on its website. The question remains: what exactly is this product supposed to do? In particular, what -- if anything -- makes it uniquely suited for use in a wireless environment? I'd love to know if anyone has figured that out.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Crashed both my computers!!!, November 14, 2006

By 

B. Rattner (new york, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kensington Personal Firewall, USB Security Key, Mobile Security for Windows Notebooks (Personal Computers)

When I saw this item for sale, I must have been one of the first to buy it. Seems great in concept, especially if you use hot spots for internet access. I use two different laptops, one for work and one for personal use. One has windows XP Pro, the other just XP. When I plugged the kensington firewall into my USB the first computer, the system recognized that a new piece of hardware was installed and then froze up for a few seconds before the blue screen came up and the system crashed. On the second attempt on my other computer it happened even quicker ( within 3 seconds of plugging it in ). Thankfully I was able to restart both of them and no apparent damage was caused. I have NEVER had anything like this happen with any other device I have ever plugged into my computer. Be very careful before you use this GIZMO!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Kensington USB (You'll Suffer Baby) Firewall, May 11, 2007

By 

Maj. Sanders "USKFC" (Middleworld, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kensington Personal Firewall, USB Security Key, Mobile Security for Windows Notebooks (Personal Computers)

Since "zero" is not an option, I had to settle for "one". Avoid this device at all cost. It crashed my XP Media Edition OS, and rendered my laptop unusable. Not even Safe Mode or Last Known Good would work. And I agree with the earlier reviewer regarding Kensinton's support... they offered no assistance, and instead refered me to India (I mean Dell). Dell said the diagnostic showed corrupted clusters and that my hard drive was crashed. So they shipped me a refurb replacement, and I had the joyous task of reinstalling my entire software base. Lessons learned... backup frequently and avoid Kensington products.