What might look like a typical thumb drive to members of Northern Lights Federal Credit Union may actually be what regulators consider a top-tier secure and compliant way to access the Internet for online banking and shopping.

IronKey, a data and online security management provider, is offering that backing for its IronKey Trusted Access for Banking solution. Rather than storage, the firm said the device houses a secured, virtualized operating system and Web browser in a read-only format that thwarts known and first-day attacks that often go undetected on users' computers until long after the damage is done.

"We really wanted to be able to provide a value-added service, not just securing our home banking. With this, our members can feel confident that they can go out to their favorite sites, like L.L. Bean or Cabela's, and are using an enclosed tunnel of connectivity," said Rita St. Arnauld, CEO of the $17 million, 3,500-member Northern Lights FCU in St. Johnsbury, Vt.