Twenty years ago, you only needed to remember was two or three passwords. Those were the days when the World Wide Web was a wild frontier of unsecured websites. These days, however, you probably have dozens of complicated passwords to keep track of – or at least we hope so if you want to protect your online security. There are many password managers out there, such as LastPass and 1Password, but the myIDkey flash drive, introduced by Arkami, adds an extra layer of security on top of what those managers can offer.
myIDkey is a USB stick that keeps data safer through the use of biometrics. To unlock it, the owner has to swipe their finger, and it then shows them their passwords and account info. myIDkey works with mobile devices and computers.
Like most other USB password keys, you can plug myIDkey into a computer and it will auto-complete your information into pertinent forms. You can also store documents and files on it like a regular USB drive. What’s cooler, though, is the voice-search function. Say the name of your bank, for example, and the key will show the information on an OLED display. Not just anyone can talk to the key and get results, though. You first have to unlock it by swiping your finger.
If the fingerprint isn’t enough security for you, you can also optionally set up a tap sequence. For example, you might want the key to unlock only after you’ve scanned your thumb and tapped on it twice.
The myIDkey can work with a smartphone app and back up your data online as well. This is handy should your key ever get lost or stolen. After enough failed attempts to access it, the key will wipe itself of data. You can restore the data or load it onto a new key using the backup system.
Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | Atmel high-performance ARM Cortex-M3 32-bit core |
| Fingerprint | Fingerprint DSP Controller with Authentec’s AES1711 Biometric Fingerprint Reader |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Specification 2.1 + EDR Compliant |
| NAND flash | 2GB/8GB/16GB |
| Display | Screen size 0.96”, Resolution 128x64 |
| External buttons | 4 Push Buttons (1 Up, 1 Down, 1 Voice Activate, 1 On/Off) |
| Language | ASCII (Extended) |
| Battery | Lithium Ion, standby time (240 hours) |
| Dimensions | 78 mm × 24 mm × 12 mm |
| Weight | 43 g |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 60°C |
| Storage temperature | -30 to 70°C |
