iTwin Connect

For road warriors, remote workers, and agents in the field, there are many different ways to surf online safely, securely connect to a computer back in their home offices, and securely share files between computers. iTwin Connect ($129) from Singapore-based iTwin is a nifty USB-based device that can do all of the above easily and simply. iTwin Connect, available directly from iTwin and other major online retailers, offers a built-in VPN service, file-sharing, remote desktop, and Windows network and printer sharing.

There are many ways to use the iTwin Connect. Small business administrators can issue the device instead of setting up a VPN server for the handful of employees who need to remotely log into the network or use Remote Desktop to access their computers from outside the office. Agents in the field can save files to their laptops and watch as iTwin syncs the file back to the computer in the office. There is no need to worry about being on an open wireless hotspot, since the Connect can establish an encrypted tunnel back to an iTwin server or to the home computer to ensure all online communications are protected.

Considering iTwin is not charging a regular subscription for the VPN service, the Connect is a complete bargain for small businesses and individual users alike.

The Hardware Stuff
PCMag is no stranger to iTwin's unique hardware, as PCMag previously iTwin File Access. The iTwin Connect looks the same?two USB keys that physically connect to each other via a Smart Connector and communicate wirelessly when separated.

When physically combined, the iTwin Connect measures 3.54 inches by 0.83 inches by 0.31inches (HWD) and weighs a mere 0.11 pounds. When the two pieces are separated, the biggest danger is losing them because they are so small. iTwin provides a nifty leather case to store one half for safe-keeping. If either half is ever lost, iTwin offers a simple way to remotely disable the lost piece. That way, someone who finds it can't use it to access your home computer. The smart thing to do is to set the password when doing the initial setup. I was surprised that passwords were optional on the iTwin Connect. For some thing like this, users should be required to set up a strong password right away.

The iTwin Connect is a 32-bit microchip USB microcontroller with on-board AES 256 and SHA-256 encryption, on-board Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol to handle how cryptographic keys are exchanged, and an on-board random generator. When the connectors are "paired" during the initial installation, the cryptographic key is transferred to both halves of the device.

When iTwin Connect is plugged in and working, the two LED lights on the unit glow a solid bright blue. The lights turn red to indicate an error has occurred. iTwin also rolls out regular firmware updates, and the Connect automatically prompts the user whenever the latest firmware is available.

Getting Started
Installation is dead simple: plug the whole iTwin Connect device (the two pieces joined as one) into the computer's USB port. Doing so automatically installs all the necessary drivers and files. I assigned a name and password to the device, and I was good to go.
That installation process configures both halves of the iTwin Connect. At this point, I split the device and set the second half aside for safe-keeping. I just need one half of the unit plugged into my computer to take advantage of most of iTwin Connect's features. For the sake of clarity in this review, I will refer to the computer with the first half of the dongle the "home computer."

When I plugged the other half into another computer's USB port, the "remote computer," it installed the same software onto that computer. It uses the same name and password (if assigned) originally selected for the home computer.

Teleport Away
The Connect offers a VPN service as part of its "Teleport" feature where the device establishes an encrypted tunnel with iTwin's servers. I can connect to a server in the U.S., European Union, and Singapore. I tried connecting and disconnecting a few times, and it looks like the U.S. servers are based in San Jose, Calif., and the European servers in Amsterdam, Netherlands?Next: Performance, Remote Connectivity

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