USB THUMB DRIVE FOR AUTHENTICATION?

[iconfly]

Now that USB thumb drives are so cheap, I wondered if they could be useful for authentication. My idea is that the user would log on with a simple password, then the USB device would be "read" and contain a more complex password and other required information regarding shares etc. I am not looking for banking security, this would be for colleges schools etc. The data on the USB stick could be encrypted. In a large school, for instance, the users details would be kept on the stick.
Wonder what others think, a fair bit of info would fit on a cheap stick, This would solve the problem of people having to remember complex passwords and having to change their passwords. The password could be changed automagically. Thanks for reading; Jimmy. :idea:

[rickenbacherus]

I wonder if this particular drive (http://www.usb007.com/) would be advantageous in any way with what you are proposing. I haven't really read too much about it.

[iconfly]

Thanks for the info. The 007 drive does look like a neat device. I was more looking for the best way to use such a drive. I figured that usb drives could be used to authentictate users without using complex passwords. Also still can be used for backing up and transfering documents etc. I did a google round, but could not find any info of anyone using a usb keydrive for this.
Thought I would try Knoppix as this is the only forum I really use.
Thanks for your input; Jimmy.