Customer Reviews

SanDisk 1 GB Cruzer Profile Biometric USB Flash Drive (SDCZ5-1024, Retail Package)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Cruzer Profile is a good little biometric USB drive at a good price. Utilities that come with it give you the ability to synchronize data files with your PC (good for taking work home or on the road); use the Cruzer Profile to cache user names and passwords for logging on to websites (so just your fingerprint will provide security without having to write down passwords); and back up files to the Cruzer Profile (14-day trial software, $20 registration).

The drive is recognized immediately by Windows XP when inserted in a USB port. No software is required to be installed for use; instead you get a pop-up window asking if you want to log in. (This also means no biometric data is installed on the PC, although there might be traces that a clever hacker with too much time and too little to do could use.) Without logging in, there are two virtual drives, one that is totally open (and runs the authorization software) and the other (much larger) that can only be accessed with an authorized fingerprint. Files copy swiftly with a USB-2 connection and slowly with a USB-1.1 connection, as you would expect.

The cable is a little short if you need to stick the unit into a USB port behind a PC, but a little long if you keep it in a pocket with things that snag. The software lets you use any finger to act as a password, but I strongly recommend you register both thumbs, for two reasons: (1) it is easy to hold the scanner in your hand with your fingers while passing your thumb over it; (2) your left hand may have an easy time reaching behind one PC to insert and activate the drive, but the next PC may only allow your right hand easy access.

You can register all ten fingers, but there is nothing in the software that says they have to be *your* fingers. I suppose they don't even have to be fingers, but I didn't test out my toe prints as security keys (I work in an office environment that does not encourage employees to have bare feet on the desks, whether for test purposes or not).

I purchased these for the managers in our company to transport sensitive data (and at 1GB they can move a *lot* of data), which brings up the reason I only rate this as four stars: there is no way to have a "master password" (master finger?) for drives that are shared. For individuals this is probably a feature, not a bug, so take that into account when judging my rating.

Another drawback is that there seems to be no way to change the partition between the protected and unprotected data. You are stuck with a small unprotected section, even though it might be nice to have a larger open data partition.

**DOES NOT WORK WITH VISTA. NO VISTA DRIVERS FORTHCOMING.**

Under Windows XP, I think this is a good USB drive, and the biometrics work well, as others have said. However, the Profile is not Vista compatible, and SanDisk has decided that it's not supporting it anymore.

I upgraded to Vista last month, and I found that the Cruzer Profile doesn't work at all with Vista (you can't even access the Profile as a regular flash drive). I wrote SanDisk back then, and I was told that they were working on a Vista driver. Having not heard anything from them, I pinged them again this month. Today, I get this reply from SanDisk: "We do apologize but the profile is not Vista compatible. The product is End of Line and there will no update to be released for compatibility issues." Frankly, I think this is a poor way to support your product and to treat customers. The SanDisk website says nothing about Vista incompatibility (only says the Profile is "Windows compatible.") The support FAQ has zero mention of this important issue.

This thing is great. It is fast and high-capacity for the price; a great value. The biometric security works "as advertised" and seems to be fairly robust. I have not had any problems at all with it. Somne of the software bundled with it is pretty good too.

Flaws:
-The design is awkward, especially if used on PCs or laptops where the USB ports are on the back. You may need to be a contortionist to swipe your finger over it. I also wish it were a one-piece design. I;m worried the little cable will wear out.
-Much of the software is Windows/IE centric.
-I could not get non-windows PCs, or older PCs, to see the protected portion of the drive.

I'm sure the security of this bio-drive is great, but the security features (bio-ID) are not compatible with my MAC, which is not clearly disclosed in any description online. I've had the drive for a few weeks, but haven't been able to use it. Buyer beware- PC only.

Its true that you can only run the software on Windows Xp. But you really only need to use an xp machine to setup the drive/device. Just use it on a XP or compatiable os to scan your finger prints. Once scanned plug it into any device, wait for the blue light, scan a finger you registered, and presto you can now use the encrypted drive. I even tryed this on my tv and once my finger was scanned I could view a sample photo I put on the drive. At first I thought it wouldn't work with vista and the thought "WOW, if you need software to decode the hidden sector on the Cruzer profile it offers no secruity, I know SanDisk wouldn't do that." Don't worry they didn't is a hardware system that unlocks the hidden sector and decrypts it. The software is only a means to add the finger print thumbdrive. (The other software to unlock/auto-login to your pc or to store passwords is windows only.) This drive is still an awsome tool even if you need XP to setup your finger prints. As far as how hard it is to trick the drive to read a fake finger print, I haven't tested it.

This is the best flash drive I have ever bought. For the price its great. Software was very easy to set up. All you do is save your fingerprint for recognition purposes and install some software on your computer, and your set. After this, I used this for everything. Then it went through my washing machine. To my surprise, it survived! Then it went through it again, survived, and once again(this time through the dryer also) and yet again, it is still in perfect condition. Very durable and great product. And you just can't beat biometric passwords.

I've tried it on four computers running XP, and on the one tightwad computer that would not bring up the log-in screen I slid my finger and still got access.

It really is a great little device, and I purchased it RIGHT BEFORE it went on sale.... :(

Time to buy some more, I guess....

This drive is great! It will register ALL of your fingers & tumbs! Easy to use and affordable when available! (Also hard to find!) You can also securly register passwords and use your finger to autocomplete fields and even login to Windows!

I have seen a lot of complaining about this device and Vista. It is true. However, it is not SanDisk's fault. It is Mircosoft. When Microsoft launched Vista, they made quite a few business mad because of the higher licence fees. So, most business stuck with XP. I will say that a driver would be nice.

Again great drive and great security. Must have for secure documents!

I have been Using this device for about 7 months since i replaced my Sandisk Titanium 1gb that i had lost. I am concerned about data protection so i purchased this drive. Last week the drive mysteriously began acting up. sometimes it would not show up when i plugged it into a usb slot. other times the light would flash for about 10 seconds then disappear. I removed everything from the drive at that point. within two days the Drive had completely malfunctioned and i am currently unable to access it on any computer.

This drive is useful, just make sure you have everything backed up on your central computer.

I bought a couple of these approximately 8 months ago. I needed a way to securely store important network information etc. on a jump drive and have it available on location.

My main conern was the longevity of these units. I was worried about the two piece construction with the cable between them. My concerns have been justified. We are having problem with the cable connection on the units and must jiggle the pieces around because the connection is intermittent. The two piece contsruction with the cable between is clumsy design and I expected more from SanDisk.