Apricorn Aegis Padlock A25-PL256-S64 User Manual

by a motivated attacker.  Electronic bugging of the 

target’s home and office could also provide the PIN 

needed to access the device.  Depending on the value 

of the data and motivation of the attacker, they may just 

choose to bypass the Padlock altogether and introduce 

malware into the target’s PC as a way of acquiring 

sensitive data. There are many ways a motivated 

attacker may succeed against a targeted victim and 

many of them do not require a cryptographic attack.

The device owner is the device administrator.  He 

controls the PIN administration for the device for 

the administrator PIN as well as other users of the 

device. In a corporate environment, it is the owner’s 

responsibility to follow company protocols for handling 

password administration including password length and 

password storage. However, all of the PINs stored on 

the device will be completely protected and may only be 

deleted or replaced with a new PIN if the PIN is lost or 

forgotten.

For personal use it is important to follow some best 

practices when it comes to passwords.

Don’t share pass codes

• 

Exercise caution when entering the pass code

• 

Change the pass code regularly

• 

Don’t use common pass codes – names / birthdates

• 

Save the pass code in secure place

• 

Figure 1 illustrates the block diagram of the 

construction of the Aegis Padlock. The encryption 

chip encrypts and decrypts the data based on a 

128-bit or 256-bit AES key. This AES key is only 

accessible by the encryption chip and not accessible 

by the user. The user would need to login with the 

correct PIN, using the keypad, before the drive is 

unlocked and recognized by the host system.  At 

this point the encryption chip begins the encrypting 

and decrypting operations allowing access to the 

hard drive.

The Apricorn Aegis Padlock handles authentication 

without sending any data to the computer. Once 

the correct PIN is entered in the keypad, the 

microcontroller allows access to the drive. Since the 

PIN is never sent to the computer, it is not possible 

for software on the computer to intercept the PIN

The Apricorn Aegis Padlock is the ideal solution for 

corporate, government and personal users whose 

data should be accessible only by the designated 

users or system administrator. The Aegis Padlock’s 

low powered design is perfect for taking your 

data on the road. This ultimate secure hard drive 

features a compact robust design and a 16-point 

omni-directional shock mounting 

system, protecting the drive from 

drops and knocks. The convenient 

integrated USB cable eliminates 

the need to carry around cables 

and allows connection at the 

flick of a fingertip. Whether you 

need to protect highly sensitive 

corporate documents, personal 

information, photos, music or 

video files, the Aegis Padlock 

is the ideal hard drive to safely 

transport your data.

Figure 1