User Manual
www.apricorn.com
13
Aegis Padlock Brute Force Protection
What is Brute Force Attack?
A brute force attack is a method of defeating a cryptographic scheme by
systematically trying a large number of possibilities; for example, a large number
of the possible keys in a key space in order to decrypt a message. In most
schemes, the theoretical possibility of a brute force attack is recognized, but it
is set up in such a way that it would be computationally infeasible to carry out.
Accordingly, one denition of “breaking” a cryptographic scheme is to nd a
method faster than a brute force attack.
1. With the drive locked and in the standby state the indicator light is solid RED.
2. After ve failed attempts to enter the correct user or admin password, the
keypad will not respond and indicator light will turn off. The drive will need to
be unplugged from the USB port and replugged. This will be repeated for the
next ve PIN entry attempts.
3. Following the 10th incorrect PIN entry, the keypad will lock and the indicator
light will begin blinking quickly. Even after unplugging and replugging in the
unit, the drive will remain locked and the indicator light will continue to blink
rapidly.
4. Here are the steps to allow the user to unlock the keypad for 10 more
attempts to unlock this drive.
a. Unplug the device from the computer
b. Push and hold the number ve key and plug-in the drive
c. The indicator light will be blinking alternating RED and GREEN rapidly
d. Enter the code 5278879 and press
e. The keypad will unlock and will be in the standby state with the
indicator light solid RED, this will allow only 10 more attempts
g. After a total of 20 Attempts the drive will remain locked with the indicator
light ashing RED quickly. You must now go through the reset process and
reformat the drive to be able to use the drive again. (see page 15)
How does the Aegis Padlock protect against
brute force attack?