MerlinCryption Deployed QT in MerlinSafe

IT security experts MerlinCryption, LLC used the Qt Group Plc cross-platform application and UI development framework in the creation of their MerlinSafe product.

Qt was selected because of its functionality, performance and reliability and reduced the device’s time to market.

MerlinSafe is a credit card-sized USB flash memory drive that incorporates pioneering data encryption software and delivers ultra-secure storage. It is designed to match the needs of healthcare, law, and other special use environments. When plugged into a computer, MerlinSafe implements a virtual keyboard through which password details are entered by mouse clicks. Using this approach – instead of the physical keyboard – defeats key-logging software that is often present in viruses and malware and which can be used to collect personal details and access codes.

A host of dynamic features are implemented within MerlinSafe to ensure password uniqueness and high levels of security. Passwords vary from 9 to 127 characters. Variable-length encryption keys scale in size and are never present on the device. Keys are created, destroyed and re-created on demand.

Initially supporting Windows platforms and Mac OS X OSs, MerlinSafe will also be available for Linux. The ability of Qt applications to be migrated to other OS platforms simply by recompiling was one of the key selection criteria.

Brandon Brown, CEO, MerlinCryption, said: “Qt’s functionalities have been valuable at every stage of MerlinSafe’s creation: during conceptualization, initial development, and in support of future development needs. Qt has proved to be the best option available – it is faster, 99.9% bug free, easily portable to multiple OSs and offers an excellent set of features. Amongst these, Qt’s ‘drag & drop’ feature improves MerlinSafe’s user-friendly experience. There is no real competition for it.“