What is a USB Drive?
A USB drive, also known as a USB flash drive, USB stick, or thumb drive, is a data storage device that includes flash memory and a USB interface. USB drives are typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable.
The origins of the USB drive trace back to the late 1990s. Singaporean company Trek Technology developed the technology and released the first USB flash drive, the Trek ThumbDrive, in 2000 1. The thumb drive provided a convenient way to store and transfer data between computers and other devices.
USB drives plug into any computer or device with a USB port and do not require batteries or external power. Once plugged in, the USB drive appears as an additional external storage drive. Users can drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste files to and from the USB drive. This provides a simple way to store, backup and transfer documents, photos, videos, music and more.
Early USB drives offered capacities between 8MB up to 256MB. Today, drives are available in capacities ranging from 1GB to 2TB and speeds up to 400MB/s read and write. Higher capacity drives are ideal for full backups and transferring large media files. Faster read/write speeds reduce transfer times.
Benefits of USB Drives for External Storage
One of the biggest benefits of using USB drives for external storage is their portability. USB drives are small, lightweight, and easy to transport between locations. For example, a student can store their homework or class presentations on a USB drive and bring it to school. An employee can store work documents on a USB drive to edit them on different computers. USB drives make transferring files between devices incredibly convenient.
Another major benefit is that USB drives are plug-and-play devices. As long as your computer has a USB port, you can directly connect the USB drive without needing to install any additional hardware or software. The USB drive will instantly be recognized as an external storage device and you can begin transferring files immediately. This makes using USB drives a seamless experience across laptops, desktops, and other devices.
USB drives are also highly versatile in their compatibility. They can connect to Windows PCs, Mac computers, Linux devices and many other systems without compatibility issues. This cross-platform functionality makes USB drives ideal for accessing and sharing files across different devices. Unlike some external hard drives, you won’t have to worry about reformatting the USB drive to use it with another computer.
According to Boxroom Office, other key benefits of USB drives as external storage include affordability, backups, ease of use, and scalability. Their small size and simple plug-and-play functionality make them one of the most convenient and useful external storage options.
USB Drive Capacities
USB drives come in a wide range of storage capacities to meet different storage needs. The most common sizes for consumer USB drives range from 8GB on the low end up to 256GB. However, high capacity USB drives up to 2TB are now available, providing massive portable storage in a tiny device.
Standard USB flash drives commonly top out at around 256GB currently. Most name brand models like SanDisk, Kingston, and Corsair max out at 256GB. Some models may go up to 512GB or 1TB for consumer drives available on Amazon.
For even higher capacities, there are specialty USB drives that offer massive storage. The Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate GT has a 2TB model, currently the largest commercially available USB flash drive. Other companies like SanDisk and TeamGroup also offer USB drives up to 2TB. These ultra high capacity drives are more expensive but provide huge storage in a tiny thumb drive.
USB Drive Speeds
USB drive speeds refer to how quickly data can be read from or written to the drive. This is an important consideration when using a USB drive for external storage. The read speed determines how fast you can open and access files on the drive. The write speed determines how quickly you can save and transfer files to the drive.1
There are a few key factors that affect USB drive speeds:2
- USB interface – Newer interfaces like USB 3.2 Gen 2 can provide faster speeds than older USB 2.0.
- Drive technology – SSD or flash-based USB drives are faster than mechanical hard disk drives.
- File size – Larger files tend to transfer faster than small files.
- Computer/device capability – The USB port and hardware capabilities can bottleneck speeds.
For USB 2.0 drives, read speeds average between 10-25 MB/s and write speeds from 3-10 MB/s. USB 3.0 and newer drives can reach read/write speeds of over 100 MB/s or higher under optimal conditions.1 Faster read/write speeds allow quicker transfer of files and improved workflow.
Using USB Drives for File Backup
USB drives provide a simple way to back up important files for protection against data loss. There are two main types of file backup that can be done with a USB drive – incremental and full backups.
An incremental backup copies new or changed files since the last backup. This allows you to regularly backup files without needing to copy ones that haven’t changed. Incremental backups are efficient but require multiple USB drives to restore a system completely.
A full backup copies all selected files every time it runs. This ensures everything is copied to the USB drive so only one USB is needed for a full restore. Full backups take more time and storage space compared to incremental.
To perform file backups to a USB drive, backup software is required. Some options include:
- Acronis True Image – provides full and incremental backup options.
- Windows Backup – built into Windows, can do incremental file backup to USB.
- Rsync – open source software for incremental USB drive backup.
When backing up to USB drives, be sure to use high-quality drives and verify backups complete successfully. Perform test restores to ensure files can be recovered when needed.
Security Considerations
Though USB drives provide many conveniences, they also introduce potential security vulnerabilities that users should be aware of.
One major concern is data theft if a USB drive is lost or stolen. Encrypting the USB drive’s contents can help mitigate this risk. Solutions like BitLocker, VeraCrypt, and AxCrypt allow users to password protect their USB drives to prevent unauthorized access (1). Always keeping backups of important data on other devices can also help reduce the impact of a lost USB drive.
Malware infection is another risk if USB drives are used across multiple devices, some of which may be infected. It’s advisable to scan USB drives regularly with antivirus software to detect potential malware (2). Avoiding autorun and only opening files on USB drives when necessary reduces infection risks.
Compliance violations can also occur if sensitive data is mishandled on USB drives. Enterprise IT teams often restrict employee USB drive use to prevent data leaks or unauthorized activities (3). Proper security protocols like encryption and access controls are essential when using USB drives to store or transfer sensitive data.
While USB drives are convenient, following best practices for safely storing, transferring, scanning, and encrypting data on them is important for security.
(1) https://blog.pulsarsecurity.com/usb-security-risks-when-flash-drives-become-dangerous
(2) https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/using-caution-usb-drives
(3) https://www.compassitc.com/blog/understanding-usb-flash-drive-security-risks-and-forensics
Comparing USB Drives to Other External Storage
USB drives have advantages and disadvantages compared to other common external storage options like external hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and cloud storage.
USB Drives vs External HDDs
USB drives are smaller, more portable, and do not require external power compared to external HDDs. However, external HDDs generally have much higher capacities, are faster at reading/writing data, and are more reliable for long-term storage. According to this source, HDDs are better suited for regular file access and backup, while USB drives excel at portability.
USB Drives vs External SSDs
Compared to external SSDs, USB drives are cheaper and more portable. But external SSDs are much faster, more reliable, and durable for intense daily use. As explained in this article, SSDs have faster read/write speeds, higher capacities, and greater shock resistance than USB drives.
USB Drives vs Cloud Storage
The main advantage of USB drives over cloud storage is the ability to physically control your data. Cloud storage relies on internet connectivity. However, cloud storage offers more capacity, automated backup, accessibility from many devices, and collaboration features as noted here.
Recommendations for Reliable USB Drives
When shopping for a quality USB drive for external storage, there are a few key reputable brands and capabilities to look for.
Some of the top makers of reliable USB drives include big names like SanDisk, Lexar, and Patriot. These companies have a long track record in storage technology and extensive testing behind their products. Many also offer impressive warranties of 5 years or more.
For the fastest speeds, aim for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 drive, which can reach maximum transfer rates around 1,000 MB/s. USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 3.0 still offer decent performance as well. Drives with solid-state NAND flash memory also outperform those with traditional spinning hard disks.
Durability is another key factor for external storage on the go. Look for USB drives with an IPX7 waterproof rating, shock and vibration resistance, and metal or rugged casings. Top options will withstand being dropped, splashed, or stepped on while keeping data protected.
Encrypted USBs provide an extra layer of security through password protection and AES hardware encryption. This prevents unauthorized access if the drive is lost or stolen.
By choosing a reputable brand and considering speed, durability, and security, you can select a reliable USB drive for safely storing and accessing files on the go.
Extending the Life of a USB Drive
There are several best practices that can help extend the lifespan of a USB drive and preserve the data stored on it for longer:
Proper ejection – Always safely eject the USB drive before removing it from your computer. Simply pulling out the drive without properly ejecting can lead to file corruption over time. The eject command ensures any data in memory is flushed to the drive before removal.
Careful handling – Avoid exposing USB drives to liquids, extreme heat or cold, or rough physical handling like drops or crushing pressure. The components inside are sensitive to physical damage. Keep the drive in normal room temperature conditions.
Use the included cap – USB drives come with a protective cap that covers the connector when not in use. Make use of this cap when storing the drive to prevent dust buildup or bent pins.
Moderate rewrites – Repeatedly overwriting files or filling up the drive’s capacity can wear down the cells over time. Try not to rewrite the same files excessively.
Proper storage – Keep USB drives in a clean, dry, normal temperature environment when not in use. Do not store them in very hot places like cars on hot days.
Regular backups – To guard against eventual failure, be sure to keep a backup of important data stored on a USB drive on another device or drive.
By following best practices around ejection, careful handling, storage conditions, and backups, a quality USB drive could last 5 years or more even with moderate regular usage.
Future Outlook
USB drives are expected to continue evolving in terms of interfaces, materials, and speeds.
In terms of interfaces, USB Type-C is emerging as the new standard, offering faster speeds and more power delivery compared to older USB Type-A ports. Many new laptops and devices are switching to USB-C ports. However, USB Type-A ports will likely co-exist for the foreseeable future for backwards compatibility.
New connector types like USB4 are also on the horizon, aiming to further improve speeds and power delivery. USB drives will adapt and some models already include both USB-C and USB-A connectors for flexibility.
For materials, more durable and higher capacity 3D NAND flash memory chips will become more common. This allows for smaller USB drives with more storage capacity. Waterproof and rugged metal/rubber external casings are also a trend for extra durability.
In terms of speeds, USB 3.2 and USB 4 drives are attaining faster real-world transfer speeds. This is enabled by multi-lane technology, pushing speeds up to 40Gbps in future models. Faster NVMe storage is also coming to high performance USB drives. However, USB 2.0 will likely persist for low-cost drives (Roberta Electric, 2022).
Overall, expect to see innovative new USB drive designs supporting cutting-edge interfaces like USB-C and USB4, together with emerging flash storage technologies enabling incredibly tiny, durable, and fast external storage.