How Does a USB Key Work?
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Introduction
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USB keys are portable storage devices designed to be transported on key rings. While the physical design of each key varies between manufacturers, they all have a USB plug and compartment to store data. Unlike traditional computer hard drives, USB keys have no moving parts and are not susceptible to damage if they are shaken while in use.
Usage
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Because of their size and portability, USB keys are popular for a number of applications. They are commonly used to transfer files between two or more computers, such as documents for printing or business presentations. USB keys are ideal for backing up time critical files, like financial records. On computers that require high security, the owner can require a specific USB key be inserted to log on to the computer. They require little to no installation, often needing only to be plugged in to a USB port on a computer. Most operating system automatically recognize and install the necessary software.
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Technology
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USB keys utilize a technology called solid state or "flash." Traditional media, such as computer hard drives and floppy disk drives, rely upon moving parts and magnetic fields to maintain the stored data. The technology behind USB keys, however, uses only electrical current to write and erase the data. When new data is written to the drive, the currents alter the electronic components inside the USB key to create a pattern that is recognizable by the computer.
Data Security
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Since USB keys don't rely upon moving parts or magnetic fields, the data stored is less likely to be lost or damaged. Unlike traditional hard drives, which can lose data if exposed to a large magnet, USB keys will maintain data integrity. However, a USB key can only have data written a certain number of times before it cannot be written to any more. To avoid this problem, they use a method known as wear leveling, which attempts to write data equally across the drive to prevent premature wear. Even with wear leveling, USB keys will eventually wear out and the data contained will be lost.
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