External Hard Drive Apricorn 1TB USB 3.2 A25-3PL256-1000

The Apricorn A25-3PL256-1000 is a portable 1TB external hard drive with hardware AES encryption and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) interface. It combines a compact, rugged enclosure with a built-in USB Type-A cable and a keypad-controlled, software-free security system that supports AES-XTS 128- or 256-bit encryption. The drive is designed for fast file transfers up to USB 3.0 speeds while remaining backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports.

Advantages

The drive provides real-time hardware encryption validated to FIPS PUB 197, eliminating the need for software and administrative rights. It offers configurable Admin and User PINs, an auto-lock timer, a drive reset function that regenerates the encryption key, and multiple anti-tamper protections including brute-force self-destruct and Variable Time Circuit (VTC) technology. Its wear-resistant keypad and shock-mounted, rubberized enclosure make it suitable for mobile use.

Suitable for

• Secure transport of sensitive corporate or personal data
• Encrypted backups and archival storage
• Use with laptops and mobile workstations
• Environments where software installation or admin rights are restricted

Key specifications

• Capacity: 1 TB (1000 GB)
• Interface: USB Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (SuperSpeed up to 5 Gbps), backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1
• Encryption: Hardware AES-XTS 128-bit or 256-bit (FIPS PUB 197 validated)
• Drive speed: 5400 RPM
• Security features: Admin/User PINs, auto-lock, drive reset, brute-force self-destruct, VTC technology, wear-resistant keypad
• Physical: compact rugged enclosure, integrated USB cable, weight 0.176 kg, color: black

How to use

Connect the integrated USB Type-A cable to a host computer. Unlock the drive by entering your assigned User PIN on the keypad; an Admin PIN can be used to enroll users or recover access. No software installation or admin rights are required. After authentication the drive mounts like a standard external HDD and can be used for reading and writing files at USB 3.0 speeds. To redeploy the drive, use the drive reset command to clear PINs and generate a new encryption key.

Recommendations

Choose a strong, memorable PIN and register an Admin PIN for recovery. Enable the auto-lock feature when leaving the drive unattended. Regularly back up critical data before performing a drive reset, as reset deletes all data and generates a new encryption key.