What’s New in Opal Lock 1.2.0 Version

Product Name: Opal Lock
Application Type: Windows Desktop App
Release version: 1.2.0
Release date: 02/22/2024.

The release information for the latest windows desktop app version 1.2.0 is below. The release date is 02/22/2024.

The latest version of the desktop app includes the following “New Features”:

  1. Auto detection of Drive Insert and Drive Removal events: New Background service is introduced in the 1.2.0 version that identifies the Drive Insert and Drive Removal events. When SSD will be plugged in(inserted) to the system, drive will automatically appear on the Application User Interface and when SSD will be plugged out(removed) from the system, drive will automatically disappear from the Application User Interface

Known Issue:

  • At times, after installing the Application and activating the License, background service may not work. In this case, it will start working after restarting the system or Drive list can we updated on the application UI by clicking on the “Rescan Drive” button
  • Background Service takes some time(3 to 9 seconds) to start after resuming the system from sleep and hibernate mode.
  • Infrequently, background service does not display correct drive Setup and Lock status on the UI (Setup status can display as “Yes” and Lock Status can display as “Locked”) or (Setup status can display as “Yes” and Lock Status can display as “Unlocked” but “Setup Drive” option can display disabled). In this case either clicking on the “Rescan Drive” can display the correct statuses or unplugging the drive and plugging it again to the system will display the correct status.
  1. Lock Screen: Lock screen is implemented under the “Lock/Unlock” tab. SSD can be Locked by validating the Admin or User password on this screen (without power cycle).
  2. Auto Unlocking the SSD: Now when a SSD that has setup created is plugged into the system, it will automatically unlock by reading the password from the System drive or USB flash drive, provided Admin or User password is saved in the System drive or attached USB flash drive.

Notes

  • When SSD is plugged into the system and it is locked, connecting a USB flash drive that has password saved in it will unlock the SSD automatically
  • When the drive is Locked via submitting the Password on “Lock screen” , then the application will stop reading the password on the drive insert event for the respective SSD. Shutdown the system and start again to restart the “auto read password” feature for this SSD
  1. INSTANT ERASE- Unlock Enhanced Security: Opal Lock’s New Instant Secure Erase and Certificate of Sanitization
  • Opal Lock now offers an unparalleled level of control over your data. Need to purge sensitive information swiftly and with foolproof protection? Our Instant Erase and Lock functions make it effortless and ensure that your data remains secure beyond retrieval.

But that’s not all. We understand the importance of traceability and verification in data erasure processes. That’s why Opal Lock introduces the Certificate of Sanitization—a feature that generates a verified certificate post-data erasure is completed successfully. This certificate offers you peace of mind by providing concrete proof of the data eradication process and compliance, bolstering trust in your data management practices.

The latest version of the desktop app includes the following “Usability Enhancements”

  1. Save Password to Custom Location: 1.2.0 provides the option to save the password to a Custom Location. Passwords saved to the Custom Location can later be used to unlock the drive. To Unlock the drive, password from custom location first required to be copied to a USB flash drive and then this USB flash drive can be used to Unlock the drive with “Read Password ” or Auto Unlock features.

Notes

  • Saving password to a custom location is an option added to the regular saving password to the drives in the system in factory defined locations.
  • The special location is designed so that user can save password to a location which may be synchronized to the user’s cloud drives, for the purpose of automatically backup password to the user’s selected cloud.
  • Application will not read the password from Custom Location
  • Users can save the Password to a custom location at the time of setting up the drive or by using manage password and save password pop ups.
  1. Manage Password : 1.2.0 version has additional Manage Password feature. It can be used to Save and remove the password from System drive and USB flash drives

Notes

  • Password cannot be removed from the Custom Location by application UI
  1. Choice to write Preboot Image to the Shadow MBR of the External(USB) TCG SSD : 1.2.0 version gives end users a choice whether to write Preboot Image to the drive’s Shadow MBR. If the user does not need the SSD to boot the system then writing a preboot image on Shadow MBR can be skipped to save time.
  2. Choice to create Recovery USB when Setting up the Drive: 1.2.0 version gives the end user a choice whether to setup a Recovery USB flash drive when Setting up the SSD. Recovery USB flash drives can be later used to boot the drive.

The latest version of the desktop app includes the following “Security Implementations”

  • System drives that do not support writing preboot images on their Shadow MBR or that do not have Shadow MBR, Setup of such System drives is restricted in the 1.2.0 version. Because it will be difficult to boot such System drive once it is Locked

Environment Support: Earlier versions were supported on Windows 10. This 1.2.0 version is supported on Windows 11 as well.

Platform issues: At times, background service can stop detecting the Drive Insert and Drive Remove events on Windows 11

Other Changes/Implementations:

  • Manufacturer Information is added on the Drive Details screen
  • Auto authentication of MSID to fetch the “Additional Query Information” and “Audit Logs” when drive is not setup
  • Improved UI to know the enabled and disabled features when Setup is created and when setup is not created

Important Notes:

  • This version does not support the NVMe SSDs with Name spaces.
  • This version may fail to create the setup of some Pyrite drives (Data will be safe)
  • It is recommended to update drivers and firmwares of the enclosures when used to connect the NVMe SSD to the USB ports.(Some enclosures does not supports TCG drives, and system can generate UASPstor event for some enclosures with outdated firmwares, that can lead to the drive removal event)
  • Enclosures do not support writing preboot image to the drive’s Shadow MBR. In this case, application UI gives an option to proceed with the drive setup without writing the Preboot Image.

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