Early data storage becoming bulky and inconvenient has led to the development of smaller and more compact ways of storing data. Often known as hard drives, USB drives, or memory sticks, USB flash drives became commonly popular in the early 2000s. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, meaning that a connection is made from an electrical system to a network. Flash memory is a programmable digital storage medium. The USB flash drive is also a programmable storage unit that can be attached to a computer. Although voiced security issues have led to strengthened USB security, such as login limitations and encryption, USBs still pose a significant risk to information security. Despite being easily pocket-sized and able to accommodate up to 2 terabytes of files, consumers of USB flash drives should consider some of their possible drawbacks. In order to discuss the pros and cons of USB Flash Drives, their uses and provided conveniences must be identified and then compared with their disadvantages and security threats in italics.
What are some of the advantages of USB Flash Drives?
- Usability-The USBs are lightweight and pocket-sized. They are conveniently connected to computers running an operating system and do not need an internet connection. In addition, a complete operating system is capable of booting from a live USB, making it especially useful for IT and security practitioners.
- Affordability-The emergence of newer technology has allowed a demand for cheap data storage on USB flash drives. The cost would depend directly on the size of the space used, the version of the USB, and the security features of the device. However, prices will start as low as $5 for 16 GB of capacity.
- Safety-Some USB flash drives come with security features such as password authentication, which allows a password to be entered to access certain files on the disk. USB flash drive files can also be secured by hardware or device encryption.
What are some of the disadvantages of USB Flash Drives?
- Physical Vulnerabilities-While the physical shape and scale can be considered an asset, it also renders the computer more susceptible to failure, theft or harm. This makes it imperative to back up the data stored on a USB flash drive. When used extensively, USBs are more likely to have a shorter lifetime and a higher risk of being faulty.
- Connectivity-One person is running a USB flash drive at a time. Larger organisations shift to other forms of interconnected storage so that many individuals can operate and communicate on files remotely. This alternative cannot be provided by a USB flash drive because it does not connect to the internet. Although this can be used as a solo work feature, it hinders shared storage and remote access.
- Risk-USB flash drives are a simple way to infect computers with ransomware, offering a platform for large-scale attacks. This is one way they pose a significant challenge to networks that involve or are related to classified information. Their size and storage capacity also make them perfect for stealing this kind of data.
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