Review: Mobiu portable office

Mobiu is a service that lets workers store information on the web and access it securely from any internet-connected Windows PC. Access is controlled by a USB key that contains a complete desktop environment and does not leave any trace of your data behind on the system used.

Available since late 2008, Mobiu provides an online storage space that enables users to back up files or folders, such as the contents of My Documents, to their own MobiVault. Additionally, users can create one or more MobiRooms, workspaces where documents can be shared with colleagues or other trusted Mobiu users.

The idea behind Mobiu is that users can access their files from anywhere without having to carry a laptop or even have the files on their person, preventing accidental disclosure through the loss of a laptop or removable storage device.

However, while the service may appeal to business users thanks to its greater security, consumers are likely to be put off by the price, especially when web-based services such as Microsoft's Windows Live SkyDrive are available for free.

To access Mobiu, users need a key. This looks like an ordinary USB Flash drive, but uses chip-and-PIN technology for two-factor authentication. To this end, a smart card identical to a mobile phone SIM is fitted into a covered slot in the end of the key.

The key itself has space for up to 1GB of files, but unlike a normal Flash drive, these can only be accessed via the Mobiu software.

On the target computer, the user inserts the key just like a standard USB Flash drive, after which the Mobiu client automatically starts up. The software is protected by a four-digit PIN, similar to when you withdraw money using a bank card in an ATM. Users can change their PIN at any time using the Mobiu software.

But these security measures may not be sufficient in a product likely to be used on public access computers, which may potentially be infected with malware. Mobiu provides no countermeasures to defeat keystroke logging, for example, although it does have an on-screen keypad for entering the user PIN.

Once the correct PIN is entered, the Mobiu key establishes a secure internet connection with Mobiu's online service and opens the Mobiu Desktop environment.

The Mobiu Desktop is divided up into a main workspace, with a column to the left providing links to a user's MobiVault and other options, such as the MobiManager. The latter is a file manager tool that lets users copy, delete or move files from the host PC, the MobiVault, any available MobiRooms or the Mobiu key itself.

When sitting at their own PC, users can back up their selected files to their online vault at any time by choosing 'Backup to MobiVault'. By default, this will copy everything in the My Documents folder and the Windows desktop, while other folders can be included by choosing Advanced Settings.