EncryptaKey removes the host computer’s operating system and its hard drive from the security equation, thus removing the largest and hardest to treat security vulnerability. This is done by the loading of the EncryptaKey’s secure embedded operating system: an operating system that runs solely in the host computer’s RAM and from the USB device, It is secured against malware threats from preexisting infections of the host computer’s hard drive or new occurrences that can be gathered as a result of online activity. Upon successful authentication the USB device unloads the host computers native operating system (Windows) and loads the secure EK operating system from the USB devices independent, read only-protected memory. This prevents malware threats from ever getting a foothold in the operating system, by not giving the virus or malware the ability to infect core Operating System files, because they are Read-only and protected. In addition, because it runs solely in the Host computer’s RAM, without an active hard drive, it provides a footprint-less and trackless operating environment. At the end of a user’s session, when the computer is turned off or restarted, any information in the volatile memory (RAM) is lost, thus leaving nothing behind to be gathered via investigation or computer forensics. When the computer is turned back on, it returns to its original state, loading its native operating system normally.