Recent reports highlighted problems with the security of a variety of USB "thumb drives" whereby although secured by a password via a software tool on the PC, the "unlock code" sent to the drive was always the same.

Of the three manufacturers affected: Kingston, Verbatim and SanDisk, only Kingston announced their intention to recall and replace the affected drives.

Yesterday, Kingston announced further details regarding the recall.  For any customer owning a DataTraveler BlackBox (DTBB), DataTraveler Secure – Privacy Edition (DTSP) or a DataTraveler Elite – Privacy Edition (DTEP), Kingston are offering a FIPS-certified replacement for the DTBB; and the DataTraveler Vault – Privacy Edition for the DTSP and DTEP.

"We have decided the best way to address this problem is to offer our customers replacement units that incorporate newer and stronger security architecture," said Vaughan Nankivell, Regional Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Kingston. "Since we were first notified of the potential hack, we have concluded that exchanging drives is the proper solution for our customers."

Customers who own one of the affected drives should contact Kingston's Customer Service Department for full details of our standard return process. Customer service phone numbers are available here.

Verbatim and SanDisk continue to advise that a software upgrade will address the issue.