StealthSurfer II

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

July 12, 2005

I really find it disturbing that even if you are completely fastidious about purging temporary files, personal information can still be harvested from a computer's hard drive. What  if you are on vacation and happen to use an internet cafe's computer? Or what if you are a student using a PC in one of your school's computer labs? If you go to a site that requires a password or if you order something from the internet with a credit card, that private information may or may not be obtainable by someone with harmful intentions. The Stealth Surfer is a product that completely does away with that worry, because it basically hijacks the host computer and forces data that would ordinarily go into a temporary file on the host's hard drive, into a folder on the StealthSurfer itself instead.

This year, the StealthSurfer I previously reviewed has undergone a major facelift, and the new model is going by the name StealthSurfer II. While the hardware remains (as best I can tell) exactly the same, there have been so many improvements to the software portion of this device that it is now world's ahead of where it was. The StealthSurfer II is available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB memory denominations. Once again, I was sent the 128MB.

The new StealthSurfer II is on the top, the older model on the bottom

In it's plastic case, the StealthSurfer II (SSII) measures 2.52" long (including the lid) and 0.83" wide x 0.3" thick. If the reinforcing case is completely removed, the SSII measures a secretive 1.7" long x 9.7" wide x 0.1" thick.

In this picture from last year's review, you can see the dismantled StealthSurfer

Specifications:
Interface: USB 2.0, data transfer rate up to 480Mb/sec
Capacity: 128MB ~ 1 GB
Sustained Data Transfer Rate: Up to 8MB/sec
OS Supported: Win 2000/XP
Power Supply: DC 5V/3.3v +/-5%, through USB port
Power Consumption: <140 mA
LED Indicator for file access

One of the many great features of the StealthSurfer is that it can also be used as secure flash memory for moving the owner's files from one computer to the next. The only limits are the size of the installed memory, in this case approximately 128 MB.

Since there is not much that wasn't already covered in the previous review concerning hardware, let's jump right into the software.

What sets the SSII apart from the first generation model is that it now includes everything anyone might need for complete privacy and convenience while surfing. Self-contained inside the SSII are licensed versions of the following:
Firefox - a popular high-speed browser with enhanced security    
Anonymizer - offers anonymous surfing, complete network security and IP masking    
RoboForm - a "one-click" form-fill with secure user ID/password management application    
Thunderbird - for portable POP3/SMPT email, news groups, RSS feeds, and blog access    
Hushmail - a high security web based e-mail solution

Setting up the SSII is done by plugging the device into an available USB port on a computer running Windows 2000 or XP. The StealthSurfer is not compatible with earlier versions of Windows or Windows NT, and it does not work with the Mac OS. Yes, I can hear the boos and hisses now, but every now and then it is nice for us Windows users to get the cool stuff! ;0)

When the SSII is installed, the following screen will appear showing the gateway to the contents of the disk.

Clicking the StealthLock icon prompts the user to enter their password, which is set with a default of "1111". Obviously this default password should be changed immediately to something specified by the user. A hint can also be entered if you are the the forgetful type.

 

When an incorrect password is entered, the screen will mention it. Up to three tries may be made before the StealthSurfer must be removed and reinserted, essentially causing it to reset in order to allow the user to try again. The data stored inside is completely protected by 3DES encryption, and there is no way to access it without destroying the device.

Once the password is entered, the following screen is revealed, which includes icons for the various included programs. The only one not showing is Hushmail, which is a web-based email accessed through the Firefox browser from the StealthSurfer front page.

As each program is run, a corresponding icon will be displayed in the host computer's system tray. From left to right (after the WeatherBug temperature readout) are: Anonymizer, RoboForm and the icon showing that the StealthSurfer is installed and running.

Firefox Browser:
Recently I decided to stop being the last Internet Explorer holdout, and I began using Mozilla's Firefox browser. One of the things that I appreciate about Firefox is its clean design, speed and lack of tolerance for spyware and popups. It was a nice surprise to find that the SSII included integrated Firefox, allowing me to use my now favorite browser - including all of my bookmarks - from any computer anywhere in the world...without leaving a trace.

When the user is browsing the internet with the SSII drive installed "all cookies, cached files and other downloaded images are stored privately" on the SSII. All of the unavoidable downloaded images and data are trapped by the SSII. You can view them in the Stealth/cache/Cache folder.

The results of less than five minutes of surfing!

Even though there a start-up sequence as the Firefox browser is activated, I do miss seeing something on the actual browser screen that indicates my stealthy surfing. The previous model SS had a stealth fighter icon in the upper right hand corner, which while primitive was reassuring.

Be sure to clean out your cache folder occasionally, especially if you only have the 128MB model! This can easily be done through the Firefox browser, by going Tools/Options/Privacy/Cache/Clear.

Anonymizer:
According to the StealthSurfer site, "Anonymous Surfing safeguards a user’s identity and Internet activities by shielding their IP, or Internet address, from hackers and online snoops.  An encrypted path is created between a user’s computer and the Internet using 128-bit SSL technology, the most secure form of SSL available, to ensure the highest level of protection and anonymity.  Anonymous Surfing defends users from the most prevalent Internet privacy and security threats, including online identity theft, phishing attacks, and online tracking.  When used from a wireless-enabled laptop, Anonymous Surfing secures all data sent over a wireless connection while surfing at home, at work or at the local coffee shop. The program is activated with the click of a single button and works silently in the background without slowing the Internet connection."

Putting it in layman's terms, when I activate Anonymizer, my IP number is no longer recognizable as belonging to Cox.net in San Angelo, Texas. You can test and see what IP is being displayed by going to a members only location on the StealthSurfer site.

According to Melissa Data, that IP address equals this information:

I checked my IP from two internet forums where I have administrative powers, and sure enough - I am now located in Washington! This means that I can post in forums without logging my correct IP, as well as surf the internet without leaving data tied directly to my true IP. I think this is simply amazing!

RoboForm:
According to the StealthSurfer site, "This integrated tool simplifies the process of filling out online forms by storing multiple user identities, including name, address, phone number, and other important information required by the user; it also securely stores confidential data such as passwords, bank accounts, and credit card numbers."

Located at the top of the SteathSurfer's browser window is a toolbar with all of the RoboForm options. If you are already using Firefox and you ever accidentally don't close out all of your browser windows before plugging the SSII in, then you will know things aren't secure because this toolbar will not be showing.

The beauty of the RoboForm utility is that it will save your passwords as you enter them into various site forms, and it will remember them later allowing for speedy access. This program can also generate strong passwords, if you are not feeling particularly inspired.

When a site is accessed that requires a password, a form will pop up asking if the user would like to save the login and password information...

The Passcard name is editable, so if you have several passwords for different zones on the same site, they can be kept separate without overwriting each other.

Once the password is saved, the website will be immediately accessible when the RoboForm feature is being used, either by selecting Logins and clicking on the wanted site or by simply clicking on the login page. The password will also be recalled the next time the login page is accessed from within the StealthSurfer browser.

Thunderbird:
According to the StealthSurfer site, with Thunderbird you can, "Access an email account anywhere at anytime. Thunderbird gives users a faster, safer and more productive email experience. Designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail, this tool is portable and can secure both POP mail (such as through Outlook or Outlook Express) and Web-based email. POP3/SMPT email, news groups, RSS feeds, and blogs are all easy to set up and use with Thunderbird."

Now here is something that I have truly been needing. Every time I go out of town, it is an absolute chore to check my Gadgeteer email account because without my Outlook spam-filter, I easily get four or five hundred pieces of junk mail a day which I then have to wade through. Using the Mozilla Thunderbird email client, I was able to easily import my Outlook email settings, and Thunderbird's intuitive built-in spam filter has been doing a very good job of keeping things manageable. Importing my contacts was a bit trickier, even using the Outlook and Thunderbird wizards, but I eventually got things sorted through.

More than any other feature - Thunderbird is the one that makes the StealthSurfer II a "must have", in my opinion. Being able to leave home and travel with all of my email accounts and contacts stored on an encrypted device, allowing me to retrieve my email from almost any computer in the world securely...I am verklempt!

The Mozilla Thunderbird GUI is very nicely laid out, easy to manage, and aesthetically pleasing. I wish I had a larger capacity StealthSurfer II, as I would seriously love to import all of my email storage folders over to the StealthSurfer and use it as my default method. Ah well, I am sure there are downsides to doing that...

Anyway! I should mention that Thunderbird and the StealthSurfer II are not trying to help spammers in any way, therefore your IP address is not masked when you send email from the Thunderbird email client.

Hushmail:
At the bottom of the StealthSurfer welcome page, inside the Firefox browser, is a login area for Hushmail, a private internet based email included with the StealthSurfer II.

Since there aren't all that many users yet, I was actually able to get the email I wanted - my name @stealthsurfer.com. Coolness! 2MB of storage are included for free, but larger storage options are also available for a fee.

After signing in for the first time, you are prompted to enter a password so that Hushmail can start working it's encryption magic on your account.

Next, this cryptic (no pun intended) java application starts...

...and finally you are allowed to enter the email twilight zone. A place from which you can even generate pseudo-alias email accounts which receive mail...

According to the SS site, "Sending an unencrypted E-Mail is like posting a letter without an envelope. The information you receive and transmit can be routinely monitored, logged, analyzed and stored by third parties. In addition to the basic human right to privacy, E-mail users must consider the importance of keeping business communications secure from rival organizations and should only send data in an encrypted format. The same concerns apply to the transmission of medical records, sensitive legal, military or personal information. Every time you send E-mail, you trust your messages and privacy to nameless and faceless individuals or organizations that frequently have no guidelines and no concerns for your privacy or security.

By contrast, StealthSurfer integrated Hushmail keeps your online communications private and secure. Not even a StealthSurfer or Hushmail employee with access to our servers can read your encrypted E-Mail, since each message is uniquely encoded before it leaves your computer. A StealthSurfer Hushmail account lets you communicate in total security with any other Hush member anywhere in the world.

 

You can read more about how the StealthSurfer II works here.
The StealthSurfer FAQ may be viewed here.
The online manual and other support information may be viewed here.

Price: $99.29 (for 128MB), up to $299.29 for 1GB
Includes a 30 day money back guarantee and a one year limited warranty against physical defects in material and workmanship

Pros:
Password protected memory card storage in varying denominations
Built-in browser and cache files to trap all surfing activity
Improved software that makes all internet and email activity invisible to the host computer
Ability to carry favorites from computer to computer

Cons:
Does not work on Mac computers
Does not work on PCs running Windows 95, 98, Me or NT
 

Product Requirements:
A 1.1 or 2.0 USB port, IBM or compatible PC running Windows 1000/XP