iStorage DISKASHUR M2 User manual

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
User Manual........................................................................................... 2
Manuel de l’utilisateur............................................................................. 39
Benutzerhandbuch.................................................................................. 76
Manualed’uso......................................................................................... 113
ユーザーガイド....................................................................................... 150
Gebruikershandleiding............................................................................ 187
Manual del usuario.................................................................................. 224

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
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Please make sure you remember your PIN (password), without it, there
is no way to access the data on the drive.
If you are having difficulty using your diskAshur M2please contact our support team by
email - [email protected] or by phone on [phone].
User Manual

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
Copyright © iStorage Limited 2020. All rights reserved.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and copyrights referred to are the property of their respective owners.
Distribution of modified versions of this document is prohibited without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.
Distribution of the work or derivative work in any standard (paper) book form for commercial purposes is prohibited unless prior permission is
obtained from the copyright holder.
DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED AS IS AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID
All trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners
Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliant

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
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Table of Contents
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................5
Box contents .........................................................................................................................................................................................5
diskAshur M2Layout .............................................................................................................................................................................5
1. LED indicators and their actions .....................................................................................................................................................6
2. LED States ......................................................................................................................................................................................6
3. First Time Use.................................................................................................................................................................................7
4. Unlocking diskAshur M2with the Admin PIN .................................................................................................................................8
5. How to Enter Admin Mode .............................................................................................................................................................8
6. Changing the Admin PIN ................................................................................................................................................................9
7. Setting a User PIN Policy ...............................................................................................................................................................10
8. How to delete the User PIN Policy ..................................................................................................................................................11
9. How to check the User PIN Policy ..................................................................................................................................................11
10. Adding a New User PIN in Admin Mode .........................................................................................................................................12
11. Changing the User PIN in Admin Mode .......................................................................................................................................... 13
12. Deleting the User PIN in Admin Mode ...........................................................................................................................................13
13. How to Unlock diskAshur M2with User PIN ................................................................................................................................... 14
14. Changing the User PIN in User Mode ............................................................................................................................................14
15. Creating a One-Time User Recovery PIN ........................................................................................................................................15
16. Deleting the One-Time User Recovery PIN .....................................................................................................................................15
17. Activating Recovery Mode and Creating New User PIN ..................................................................................................................16
18. Set User Read-Only in Admin Mode ..............................................................................................................................................16
19. Enable User Read/Write in Admin Mode ........................................................................................................................................17
20. Set Global Read-Only in Admin Mode ............................................................................................................................................17
21. Enable Global Read/Write in Admin Mode .....................................................................................................................................18
22. How to configure a Self-Destruct PIN .............................................................................................................................................18
23. How to delete the Self-Destruct PIN ...............................................................................................................................................19
24. How to Unlock with the Self-Destruct PIN ......................................................................................................................................19
25. How to Configure an Admin PIN after a Brute Force attack or Reset ..............................................................................................20
26. Setting the Unattended Auto-Lock ..................................................................................................................................................20
27. Turn off the Unattended Auto-Lock .................................................................................................................................................21
28. How to check the Unattended Auto-Lock......................................................................................................................................... 22
29. Set Read-Only in User Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................22
30. Enable Read/Write in User Mode ....................................................................................................................................................23
31. Brute Force Hack Defence Mechanism ...........................................................................................................................................23
32. Admin PIN Brute Force Hack Defence Mechanism .........................................................................................................................24
33. How to set the User PIN Brute Force Limitation .............................................................................................................................24
34. How to check the User PIN Brute Force Limitation .........................................................................................................................25
35. How to perform a complete reset ...................................................................................................................................................26
36. How to configure diskAshur M2as Bootable .................................................................................................................................. 26
37. How to disable the diskAshur M2Bootable feature ......................................................................................................................... 27
38. How to check the Bootable setting ..................................................................................................................................................27
39. Initialising and formatting diskAshur M2for Windows .................................................................................................................. 28
40. Initialising and formatting diskAshur M2in Mac OS ......................................................................................................................30
41. Initialising and formatting diskAshur M2in Linux OS ....................................................................................................................32
42. Hibernating, Suspending or Logging off from the Operating System ............................................................................................35
43. How to check Firmware in Admin Mode .........................................................................................................................................35
44. How to check Firmware in User Mode ............................................................................................................................................36
45. Technical Support ..........................................................................................................................................................................37
46. Warranty and RMA information ......................................................................................................................................................37

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
Introduction
Box Contents
• diskAshur M2 portable SSD & Protective Sleeve
• Protective carry case
• USB C & A Cables
• Quick start guide & Product disclaimer
Thank you for purchasing the new iStorage diskAshur M2, an ultra-secure and easy to use, hardware encrypted, PIN authenticated
portable Solid State Drive (SSD) with capacities of 120GB to 2TB and rising.
Designed to be FIPS 140-3 Level 3, the diskAshur M2encrypts data in transit and at rest using AES-XTS 256-bit full disk hardware
encryption.
The diskAshur M2incorporates a Common Criteria EAL 5+ (Hardware Certified) secure microprocessor, which employs built-in physical
protection mechanisms designed to defend against external tamper, bypass attacks and fault injections.
Unlike other solutions, the diskAshur M2reacts to an automated attack by entering the deadlock frozen state, which renders all such
attacks as useless. In plain and simple terms, without the PIN there’s no way in!
diskAshur M2Layout
Hard anodised and ruggedised
extruded aluminium housing LED lights - Red: Standby/locked
Green: User mode/unlocked
Blue: Admin mode
Polymer coated, wear resistant
alphanumeric keypad
Epoxy coating
Key button
Shift button
Rubber gasket - making the drive
waterproof when sleeve is fitted
The diskAshur M2incorporates a
Common Criteria EAL 5+ (Hardware
Certied) secure microprocessor.

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1. LED indicators and their actions
LED LED State Description LED LED State Description
RED Solid Locked drive (in either
Standby or Reset states)
BLUE Solid Drive in Admin mode
RED Double blink Incorrect PIN entry
RED, GREEN and
BLUE Blinking
together Waiting for User PIN entry
GREEN Solid Drive unlocked
GREEN and BLUE
Blinking together Waiting for Admin PIN entry
GREEN Blinking Data transfer in progress
GREEN and BLUE
Blinking alternately Authentication in progress
2. LED States
To wake from Idle State
Idle state is defined as when diskAshur M2is not being used and all LEDs are off.
To wake diskAshur M2from the idle state do the following.
Connect the diskAshur M2to a powered USB
port on your computer
RED, GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink once in sequence then the GREEN
LED blinks twice and finally switches to a solid RED LED indicating
the drive is in Standby State
To enter Idle State
To force diskAshur M2to enter Idle State, execute either of the following operations:
• Disconnect the drive if connected to a USB port, all LEDs will switch off (idle state).
Power-on States
After the drive wakes from the Idle State, it will enter one of the following states shown in the table below.
Power-on State LED indication Encryption
Key
Admin
PIN Description
Initial Shipment State RED and GREEN
Solid   Waiting for configuration of an Admin PIN (First Time Use)
Standby RED Solid   Waiting for Admin or User PIN entry
Reset RED Solid   Waiting for configuration of an Admin PIN
Note: The normal function of the diskAshur M2may be disturbed by strong Electro-Magnetic Interference. If so, simply
power cycle the product (power off then power on) to resume normal operation. If normal operation does not resume,
please use the product in a different location.

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
To configure an Admin PIN and unlock the diskAshur M2for the first time, please follow the simple steps in the table below.
Instructions - First Time Use LED LED State
1. Connect the diskAshur M2to a powered USB port on your
computer
RED, GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink once in
sequence then the GREEN LED blinks twice and finally
switches to solid RED and GREEN LEDs indicating the
drive is in the Initial Shipment State
2. Press and hold down both KEY ( ) + 1 buttons LEDs turn to blinking GREEN and solid BLUE
3. Enter a New Admin PIN (7-15 digits) and press the
KEY ( ) button once
Blinking GREEN and solid BLUE LEDs switch to a
GREEN blink then back to Blinking GREEN and solid
BLUE LEDs
4. Re-enter your New Admin PIN and press the KEY ( )
button again
BLUE LED rapidly blinks then switches to a solid BLUE
LED and finally to a solid GREEN LED indicating the
Admin PIN has been successfully configured and drive
unlocked
Locking the diskAshur M2
To lock the drive, safely eject the diskAshur M2from your host operating system and then unplug from the USB port. If data is being
written to the drive, unplugging the diskAshur M2will result in incomplete data transfer and possible data corruption.
3. First Time Use
PIN Requirements:
• Must be between 7-15 digits in length
• Must not contain only repetitive numbers, e.g. (3-3-3-3-3-3-3)
• Must not contain only consecutive numbers, e.g. (1-2-3-4-5-6-7), (7-8-9-0-1-2-3-4), (7-6-5-4-3-2-1)
Examples of these types of Alphanumerical PINs are:
• For “Password”press the following buttons:
7 (pqrs) 2 (abc) 7 (pqrs) 7 (pqrs) 9 (wxyz) 6 (mno) 7 (pqrs) 3 (def)
• For “iStorage”press the following buttons:
4 (ghi) 7 (pqrs)8 (tuv) 6 (mno) 7 (pqrs) 2 (abc) 4 (ghi) 3 (def)
Using this method, long and easy to remember PINs can be configured.
Password Tip: You can configure a memorable word, name, phrase or any other Alphanumerical PIN combination
by simply pressing the button with the corresponding letters on it.
diskAshur M2is supplied in the ‘Initial Shipment State’ with no pre-set Admin PIN. A 7-15 digit Admin PIN must be
configured before the drive can be used. Once an Admin PIN has been successfully configured, it will then not be possible to switch the
drive back to the ‘Initial Shipment State’.

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4. Unlocking diskAshur M2with the Admin PIN
To unlock the diskAshur M2with the Admin PIN, please follow the simple steps in the table below.
1. Connect the diskAshur M2to a USB port on your
computer
RED, GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink once in
sequence then the GREEN LED blinks twice and finally
switches to a solid RED LED indicating the drive is in
Standby State
2. In Standby State (solid RED LED) press the
KEY ( )button once GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink together
3. With the GREEN and BLUE LEDs blinking together,
enter the Admin PIN and press the KEY ( )button
again
GREEN and BLUE LEDs will alternately blink
several times and then to a solid BLUE LED
and changing to a solid GREEN LED indicating the drive
has been successfully unlocked as Admin
5. How to Enter Admin Mode
To Enter Admin Mode, do the following.
1. Connect the diskAshur M2to a powered USB port on your
computer
RED, GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink once in
sequence then the GREEN LED blinks twice and finally
switches to a solid RED LED indicating the drive is in
Standby State
2. In Standby State (solid RED LED) Press and hold down
both KEY ( ) + 1 buttons GREEN and BLUE LEDs blink together
3. Enter your Admin PIN and press the KEY ( )button
once
GREEN and BLUE LEDs will rapidly blink together
several times and then switch to a solid GREEN LED
and finally changing to a solid BLUE LED indicating the
drive is in Admin mode
To immediately exit Admin Mode (solid BLUE LED), press and hold down the SHIFT ( ) button for a second - the solid BLUE LED
switches to a solid RED LED.
To Exit Admin Mode

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iStorage diskAshur®M2User Manual v1.9
6. Changing the Admin PIN
PIN Requirements:
• Must be between 7-15 digits in length
• Must not contain only repetitive numbers, e.g. (3-3-3-3-3-3-3)
• Must not contain only consecutive numbers, e.g. (1-2-3-4-5-6-7), (7-8-9-0-1-2-3-4), (7-6-5-4-3-2-1)
1. In Admin mode press and hold down both
the KEY ( ) + 2 buttons
Solid BLUE LED will change to blinking GREEN and
solid BLUE LEDs
2. Enter NEW Admin PIN and then press the
KEY ( )button once
Blinking GREEN and solid BLUE LEDs will switch to
a single GREEN LED blink and then back to blinking
GREEN and solid BLUE LEDs
3. Re-enter the NEW Admin PIN and then press the
KEY ( )button once
Blinking GREEN and solid BLUE LEDs change to
a rapidly blinking BLUE LED and finally to a solid
BLUE LED indicating the Admin PIN has been
successfully changed
To change the Admin PIN, first enter the “Admin Mode” as described in section 5. Once the drive is in Admin Mode
(solid BLUE LED) proceed with the following steps.
Examples of these types of Alphanumerical PINs are:
• For “Password”press the following buttons:
7 (pqrs) 2 (abc) 7 (pqrs) 7 (pqrs) 9 (wxyz) 6 (mno) 7 (pqrs) 3 (def)
• For “iStorage”press the following buttons:
4 (ghi) 7 (pqrs)8 (tuv) 6 (mno) 7 (pqrs) 2 (abc) 4 (ghi) 3 (def)
Using this method, long and easy to remember PINs can be configured.
Password Tip: You can configure a memorable word, name, phrase or any other Alphanumerical PIN combination
by simply pressing the button with the corresponding letters on it.
Note: To immediately exit Admin Mode (solid BLUE LED), press and hold down the SHIFT ( ) button for a second - the
solid BLUE LED switches to a solid RED LED.

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7. Setting a User PIN Policy
The Administrator can set a restriction policy for the User PIN. This policy includes setting the minimum length of the PIN (from 7 to
15 digits), as well as requiring or not the input of one or more 'Special Characters'. The “Special Character” functions as both the
'SHIFT ( ) + digit' buttons pressed down together.
To set a User PIN Policy (restrictions), you will need to enter 3 digits, for instance '091', the first two digits (09) indicate the minimum
PIN length (in this case, 9) and the last digit (1) denotes that one or more 'Special Characters' must be used, in other
words 'SHIFT ( ) + digit'. In the same way, a User PIN Policy can be set without the need of a 'Special Character', for instance
'120', the first two digits (12) indicate the minimum PIN length (in this case,12) and the last digit (0) meaning no Special Character is
required.
Once the Administrator has set the User PIN Policy, for instance '091', a new User PIN will need to be configured - see
section 10, ‘Adding a New User PIN in Admin Mode’. If the Administrator configures the User PIN as '247688314' with the use of a
'Special Character' (SHIFT ( ) + digit pressed down together), this can be placed anywhere along your 7-15 digit PIN during the
process of creating the User PIN as shown in the examples below.
A. 'SHIFT ( ) + 2', '4', '7', '6', '8', '8', '3', '1', '4',
B. '2', '4', 'SHIFT ( ) + 7', '6', '8', '8', '3', '1', '4',
C. '2', '4', '7', '6', '8', '8', '3', '1', 'SHIFT ( ) + 4',
Note:
• If a ‘Special Character’ was used during the configuration of the User PIN, for instance, example ‘B’ above,
then the drive can only be unlocked by entering the PIN with the ‘Special Character’ entered precisely in the
order configured, as per example ‘B’ above - (‘2’, ‘4’, ‘SHIFT ( ) + 7’, ‘6’, ‘8’, ‘8’, ‘3’, ‘1’, ‘4’).
• More than one ‘Special Character’ can be used and placed along your 7-15 digit PIN.
• Users are able to change their PIN but are forced to comply with the set ‘User PIN Policy’ (restrictions), if
and when applicable.
• Setting a new User PIN Policy will automatically delete the User PIN if one exists.
• This policy does not apply to the ‘Self-Destruct PIN’. The complexity setting for the Self-Destruct PIN and
Admin PIN is always 7-15 digits, with no special character required.
1. In Admin mode, press and hold down both
KEY ( ) + 7 buttons
Solid BLUE LED will change to blinking GREEN and
BLUE LEDs
2. Enter your 3 digits, remember the first two digits
denote minimum PIN length and last digit (0 or 1)
whether or not a special character has been used.
Blinking GREEN and BLUE LEDs will continue to
blink
3. Press the SHIFT ( ) button once
Blinking GREEN and BLUE LEDs will change to a
solid GREEN LED and finally to a solid BLUE LED
indicating the User PIN Policy has been successfully
set.
To set a User PIN Policy, first enter the “Admin Mode” as described in section 5. Once the drive is in Admin Mode (solid BLUE
LED) proceed with the following steps.
Note: To immediately exit Admin Mode (solid BLUE LED), press and hold down the SHIFT ( ) button for a second - the
solid BLUE LED switches to a solid RED LED.