Flash memory maker SanDisk and software security developer McAfee have teamed up on a new USB drive, the SanDisk Cruzer Enterprise, that automatically scans for, detects and keeps harmful malicious software, or malware, out. The secure USB drive is being demonstrated this week at the Foucs 08 security conference and promises to prevent file transfers to the drive when it detects the PC it is connected to is infected, even without a firewall. Malware includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other malicious software, for which the Cruzer Enterprise scans and keeps from being copied onto the drive.

McAfee's Scan Engine software and virus definition files analyse all files being copied from host PCs in addition to keeping the USB drive leak-free. Files already on the USB drive are protected by hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption, which, along with the necessity of setting up a complex password at start-up, make the Cruzer Enterprise one of the most secure portable storage solutions available, SanDisk says.

The SanDisk Cruzer Enterprise will be available for purchase before 2009, although prices have not been announced.