Buffalo is well aware of the people's need for data security, especially that of those who frequently travel and want their data encrypted. To answer this need, the company released a new series of USB flash drives designed with data protection and encryption, both hardware and software-based. Of course, Buffalo may have had another reason for this release.

This product comes curiously soon after UK newspapers published a rather interesting article that revealed the fact that the backseats of London Taxis yielded over 10,000 mobile phones and about 1,000 other portable computing devices each month, from the more easily misplaced USB sticks to even laptops and thumb drives.

Obviously, if someone lost such a device, often containing business critical data or just files that other people should never see before they die, that someone would automatically wish their data was encrypted. Buffalo's RUF2-HSCUW / 3 series of USB 2.0 flash drives does just that, it protects the stored data, both at the hardware and software levels.

The flash drives are pre-loaded with Trend Micro's USB Security for Biz, which comes with three years of support. This utility protects the data by automatically scanning data transfers in order to prevent infection with malware and viruses. In addition, unauthorized access is prevented by the AES 256-bit hardware encryption and the SecureLock Manager software. The drives work with Windows and Mac OS.

The drives measure only 76 (W) x 9 (H) x 19 (D) mm and their weight is but 12 grams. The series will become available in Japan for the prices of $190 for the 2GB model, of $247 for the 4GB one, of $305 for the 8GB version, with the 16GB costing $362 and the 32GB having the price of $476. The RUF2-HSCUW / 3 will finally make sure that people who misplace their flash drive have one less reason to panic when noticing that their trusted storage device is missing, confident that no information thieves will easily crack its defenses.