Patent ID: 8689347

Claim:
A computer implemented method of regulating the interaction between a computing station and a mobile storage means, the method comprising: a) coupling the mobile storage means to an interface of the computing station, the mobile storage means having stored thereon an encrypted encryption key, the encryption key being encrypted by a password, b) identifying an operational request made by the mobile storage means; c) accepting an input at the computing station; d) determining whether to grant the operational request by: (i) determining whether the input comprises the password; (ii) granting the operational request if the input matches the password; and (iii) denying the operational request if the input does not match the password; and e) if the operational request is granted, performing a requested operation by (i) decrypting the encrypted encryption key with the password; (ii) performing an encryption operation on data using the encryption key; and (iii) transferring the data between the computing station and the mobile storage means; wherein e(i) through e(iii) are performed in a transparent manner with respect to an operating system of the computing station.