What Is a USB Storage Device?
USB ports allow you to connect peripherals to your computer. USB ports can accommodate almost any component, including a variety of storage devices, network adapters and input devices like keyboards and mice. For data storage, USB offers temporary and permanent solutions as well as the ability to transfer data from other devices, such as digital cameras or MP3 players, to your computer.
Other People Are Reading
-
Universal Serial Bus
-
USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus. USB devices can literally be anything that connects to a computer, and connecting to a computer USB slot can charge a cellphone or other device. USB is used to provide storage for phones, cameras, camcorders, and such traditional storage devices as hard drives or CD burners.
USB Memory Cards and Sticks
-
Some cameras are made to allow a direct USB connection, but others will require you to use a card reader. Card readers have special slots for various types of memory cards that work like small removable disks. USB memory sticks are small units that plug directly into a USB port on the computer and provide instant drive access. USB memory sticks allow you to move media files such as music from device to device.
-
USB Drives
-
A USB drive can take one of two forms: it can be a traditional hard drive mounted into a case, or it can be be a solid state drive that has no moving parts. You can purchase a USB drive case and insert your own hard drive. A solid state drive is not as likely to sustain damage if it is dropped or exposed to serious vibration, and may have a much smaller footprint.
USB CD and DVD Drives
-
USB CD/DVD drives may be traditional drives mounted in an external case, or portable drives barely larger than the disc. Portable DVD burners can be powered with one USB cable while a second cable transfers the data. There are also drive cases available commercially that hold multiple drives and connect via a USB cable.
USB Security
-
On a network, USB storage devices pose the highest amount of risk. Any person with access to restricted information could easily copy the data to a USB storage device and move it off-site. The growing number of USB applications makes it difficult to restrict such devices, adding to the potential risk where sensitive information is involved.
-
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
