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Expert Help When Needed
Helpful Resources
Help is always available when you need it.
STIKABA provides several resources to help you understand, configure, and use your STIKABA. Answers to common questions can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the SyferSafe website.
For more detailed operating instructions, the online STIKABA User Manual is available directly through the STIKABA Dashboard, providing convenient access to current operating and feature information while using your STIKABA.
Questions? Start with the FAQ. Need more detail? Open the User Manual from your STIKABA Dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the STIKABA do?
The STIKABA is a USB based device that encrypts and decrypts data files.
What kind of encryption does the STIKABA use?
The STIKABA does symmetric encryption (shared keys) using One Time Pad (OTP) technology generated from a True Random Number Generator (TRNG) on a certified cryptographic engine.
Why do you call your encryption method “Holy Grail Encryption™”?
The STIKABA does symmetric encryption (shared keys) using One Time Pad (OTP) technology generated from a True Random Number Generator (TRNG) on a certified cryptographic engine.
Are any of the user’s data files (clear text or cipher text) kept on the STIKABA?
No. STIKABA is NOT a vault.
Is the STIKABA considered a dongle?
No. The STIKABA is the actual encryption/decryption engine. The STIKABA Dashboard is required to interface to and control the STIKABA which needs to be plugged into the computer or powered hub.
What is the STIKABA Dashboard used for?
The STIKABA Dashboard is the user interface for all STIKABA operations, including Encryption and Decryption, management of keys, and upgrades.
Does the STIKABA need the STIKABA Dashboard to operate?
Yes, the STIKABA Dashboard is necessary to use the STIKABA.
Where do you get the STIKABA Dashboard?
The STIKABA Dashboard can be download for the SyferSafe website: Syfersafe.com
Why is the STIKABA a USB design?
The STIKABA is designed so that it can be used on the user’s computer without having to expose proprietary encryption/decryption capabilities and key generation/management that could easily be exposed if it were running on a PC.
Where was the STIKABA designed and built?
The STIKABA was designed and built in Texas, USA.
What kind of data can the STIKABA encrypt?
The STIKABA can encrypt any kind of data (documents, photos, videos, music).
Can the STIKABA encrypt or decrypt data over a network ?
No, the data to be processed (encrypted or decrypted) must reside in fileson the PC the STIKABA is plugged into.
Can the STIKABA decrypt data that was encrypted with other encryption algorithms?
No, the STIKABA can only decrypt data that was encrypted by a STIKABA.
What are the Family and Groups?
The Family and Groups are considered an integral part of the STIKABA "Keys". In addition to the Family/Groups the TRNG in the certified cryptographic engine in the STIKABA, and the user selected Prime Numbers are used to generated the One Time Pad (OTP).
Why are the keys organized as Family and Groups ?
The keys are organized as Families and Groups in Families to aid in the use of the STIKABA. The Family/Group structure can show data organization (Photos/Friends, Photos/Family) or company organization (Company name/Accounting, Company name/Sales, Company name/Eng).
How are the keys (all the information to generate the OTP) shared when using the STIKABA ?
The "Keys" are sent from the originating PC with a STIKABA to a receiving PC with a STIKABA in a file. This file is generated on the originating PC with an "Export" or "Backup" command. The receiving PC and then "Import" or "Restore" the keys into the STIKABA plugged in to it.
How many "Keys" (Family/Groups) can one STIKABA have?
The number of Family/Groups a particular STIKABA can have active (stored in the STIKABA) depends on the Operation Level of the STIKABA. For example, a manager in an organization may have a STIKABA at a higher Operation Level with more "Keys" because of the need to interface with other departments of the organization than just a regular employee.
How large of a file can the STIKABA encrypt/decrypt?
The maximum file size is XXXXXXX megabytes.
What is the data encryption and decryption speed of the STIKABA?
The data encryption/decryption speed can vary from computer to computer depending on various factors including but not limited to: speed of the processor, amount of RAM memory, amount of cache, other programs running, other USB activity. A conservative estimate of an encryption rate is XXXXX megabytes per second. The actual speed on your computer may vary.
Who can use the STIKABA?
The STIKABA can be used by anyone or organization that is trying to protect data.
What are the Operational Levels a STIKABA can have?
The STIKABA can have the following Operational Levels: Personal, Associate, Partner, Enterprise, Director.
Why does the STIKABA have five Operational Levels?
Each STIKABA Operational Level has features tailored to the needs of a user. These features include increased "Key" definition, additional encryptions, bulk purchases and distribution capabilities. The different Operation Levels allow the user to scale the use of "Keys" to meet the user’s and organization’s requirements. As delivered, every STIKABA has an Operation Level of Personal, the lowest level offered.
How does a user get a higher Operation Level than the default Personal level?
The user can upgrade Operation Levels by using the STIKABA Dashboard to purchase other Operation Levels from the STIKABA website.
What are the features of each Operation Level?
Shown below are the features of each Operational Level:
| Level Name | Number of Families / Groups per Family | Awarded Encryptions |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | 1 / 1 | 50 |
| Associate | 2 / 2 | 50 additional |
| Partner | 7 / 15 | 100 additional |
| Enterprise | 31 / 45 | 150 additional |
| Director | 60 / 64 | 200 additional |
What is an “Awarded encryption”?
An Awarded encryption is the result of an upgrade from changing the STIKABA’s Operation Level to a higher one. The number of steps in the upgrade determines the number of Awarded encryptions.
For example, upgrading a STIKABA from Personal to Partner is an increment of 2 Operation Levels. At 50 Awarded encryptions per upgrade level increment, the user gets 100 Awarded additional encryptions.
What is the intended use of each Operation Level?
Each Operation Level can be used many ways. Here are some suggestions:
| Level Name | Possible Use |
|---|---|
| Personal | Product evaluation, personal documents, photos, videos |
| Associate | Family and group sharing of documents, photos, videos |
| Partner | Small to medium size organizations or individuals receiving documents from multiple organizations |
| Enterprise | Sending organizations where there are many customers receiving documents/files (legal, accounting, publishing) |
| Director | Large organization where security is managed, possibility of purchasing bulk encryptions, bulk operation upgrades, and loss mitigation |
How can the STIKABA acquire more encryptions?
The user can acquire additional encryptions several ways:
- Purchase more encryptions through the STIKABA Dashboard.
- Upgrade the Operational Level through the STIKABA Dashboard.
- Receive assigned encryptions from a STIKABA at the Director level.
Are decryptions required to be purchased?
No, a STIKABA can decrypt any amount of encrypted files providing the STIKABA in use has the correct active "Keys" that originally encrypted the data.
What would stop a STIKABA from decrypting a file?
Several items can prevent a file from being decrypted:
- The decrypting STIKABA must be initialized and enabled.
- The decrypting STIKABA must have the same "Keys" as the STIKABA that encrypted the file.
- The "Keys" must have validity dates that are still valid (not expired).
- The decrypted file must be intact (not modified/corrupted).
- The file to be decrypted must have valid validity dates (not expired).
Does the STIKABA encrypt or decrypt data at rest?
Yes. These are closed files already present on the user’s computer.
Does the STIKABA encrypt data in motion?
Not at this time.
What are the physical specifications of the STIKABA?
Estimated STIKABA physical specification:
- Length: 2.75 in. / 70 mm.
- Width: 0.91 in. / 23 mm.
- Height: 0.32 in. / 8 mm.
- Weight: 0.44 oz. / 12.51 g.
- USB Interface: Type A
- USB Type: USB 2.0
- Power consumption: approximately .142 amp @ 5.15VDC
- Operating Temperature: approximately -40 - +221F / -40 - +105C
- Typical Temperature: 92F (34C)
What type of USB connector does the STIKABA require?
The STIKABA requires a USB-A physical connector (flat rectangular) running USB 2.0 speed (480Mbps) or higher coming from a PC/laptop or powered USB hub. USB-B and USB-C physical connectors can be used with an adapter.
With which operating systems is the STIKABA Dashboard compatible?
The STIKABA Dashboard works with the following PC operating systems: Windows 10/11.
How many STIKABAs can be plugged into a single computer?
The STIKABA Dashboard works with one STIKABA per computer.
Is there a different STIKABA Dashboard for different PC operating systems?
Yes, each operating system has its specific version of the STIKABA Dashboard. However, functionality is the same.
How can a STIKABA’s Operation Level be determined or assigned?
The default Operation Level is Personal and can be upgraded to higher levels from the STIKABA Dashboard.
What are Encryptions?
Encryption is the process of replacing one data value (referred to as plain text) with another data value (referred to as Cipher text). Encrypting data is the mechanism that determines the amount of usage of the STIKABA.
How can you tell how many Encryptions a STIKABA has available to use?
This can be determined from the STIKABA Dashboard.
What happens if a STIKABA does not have any encryptions available to use?
The STIKABA will not allow the encryption to take place.
If a STIKABA has zero available encryptions can it still do decryptions?
Yes, decryptions can happen at any time providing the STIKABA has the valid keys installed, and the encrypted file validity time is still valid.
Does the STIKABA store the encrypted file internally?
No, the encrypted file is stored on the user’s PC.
What information does the STIKABA keep?
The STIKABA keeps the initialization information (password, hint phrase, recovery phrase, duress/threat phrase), active keys the user has defined, the Operation Level, the inventory of encryptions, and more.
This kept information allows the STIKABA to be portable (used on different computers).
How can the user save the defined Family/Group "Keys"?
The user can backup the "Keys" with the "Backup" or "Export" command using the STIKABA Dashboard.
How can the user reload the defined Family/Groups "Keys"?
The user can reload the "Keys" with the "Restore" or "Import" command using the STIKABA Dashboard.
Does the STIKABA delete/destroy the plain text file after an encryption?
No.
How does the STIKABA Dashboard connect to and enable the STIKABA hardware?
The STIKABA Dashboard requires a passkey phrase to connect to the STIKABA hardware. The passkey phrase is defined at STIKABA initialization and kept in the STIKABA. This allows the user to use the STIKABA on different computers.
How many passkey phrase attempts does the user get to enable the STIKABA?
The user gets 3 attempts to enable the STIKABA with a passkey phrase. To aid the user in remembering the passkey phrase, a hint will be provided. Both the passkey phrase and hint are defined at initialization.
What happens if the user totally forgets the enable passkey phrase?
The STIKABA Dashboard offers a recovery procedure in which the user provides a recovery phrase defined at initialization.
Is there a mechanism to disable the STIKABA when use is under duress?
Yes, the user can enter the threat key phrase when attempting to enter the enable passkey phrase. Entering the threat key phrase renders the STIKABA permanently inoperative.
Is there a user manual available for the STIKABA?
There is a user manual available online at the SyferSafe website. The user manual is available to users through the STIKABA Dashboard with a STIKABA plugged into the computer.
What do the lights (LEDs) on the end of the STIKABA signify?
| LED Activity | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No LEDs on | No power or damaged STIKABA |
| Blue blinking | The STIKABA has passed self test and is running but not enabled |
| Green on, Blue blinking | The STIKABA is enabled and can accept commands |
| Green, Red, Blue ON | The error code from self test |
Why doesn’t my STIKABA have any LEDs ON?
There are several possible reasons:
- The STIKABA is not plugged into a USB connector that provides power (example a non-powered USB hub).
- A faulty or damaged STIKABA.
How can I purchase the STIKABA?
The STIKABA can be purchased off the SyferSafe website with a credit card.
Is there a discount or price break for purchasing multiple STIKABAs?
A volume discount schedule is available for purchasing multiple STIKABAs at the same time. This pricing schedule is shown on the SyferSafe website.
Is there a trial or evaluation period after which the STIKABA can be returned?
No, the STIKABA is priced at the Personal Operation level to give easy access for evaluation.
What support is available for the STIKABA?
A user manual and tutorials are available on the SyferSafe website.
Is the operational software for the STIKABA itself available?
No.
Can custom configurations of the STIKABA be developed?
Contact SyferSafe directly for product customization.
How can I use more Family and Groups "Keys" than my Operation Level allows?
One approach is to use the STIKABA Dashboard and upgrade your Operation Level. Another method is to make space for the new Family and Groups by backing up or exporting some of the Family and Groups, deleting the ones backed up or exported, then import the new Family and Groups. This method is less efficient than upgrading to a higher Operation Level.
How often should the Family and Groups "Keys" be backed up?
Family and Groups should be backed up anytime there is a change (additions, deletions) to the Family and Groups.
How can I stop hackers from using my data?
Encrypt the data with the STIKABA.