USB flash drive : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

Introduction

aka thumbdrive, disgo, flashdrive, identity token, ikey, jetflash, jumpdrive, pen drive, portable USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive, fob, stick, token, UFB, UFD (USB Flash Drive) or USB drive.

The official generic name is now UFD . Asian companies often have a typo and call them UFBs. Most vendors are now calling them flash drives.

thumbdrive is the proprietary name used by Trek. the Singapore-based maker of the first units. A device that looks like a keychain fob that can be used to store and transport information. It is like a tiny solid state disk drive that plugs into your USB port. You can also use them as backup devices. A 32 MB thumbdrive holds as much as 7 DVDs (Digital Video Discs). It is reusable and orders of magnitude faster.

As Electronic Floppies

They are used much like sneakernet floppies were in the old days, except they typically hold 700 times as much. Often people use them to transport music files. The iPod is similar to a flash drive except you can’t unload the data to a different machine. Trek makes one with an email client on board, so you can take your email and email software with you on your keychain. The 1 GB version is only  Last revised/verified: 2009-03-08

Corel gave me a 2 GB freebie flash drive. It hold the equivalent of 3 CDs.

As Extra RAM (Random Access Memory)

ReadyBoost is a feature of Vista, W2008, W7-32, W7-64, W8-32, W8-64, W2012, W10-32 and W10-64 to use a flash drive you insert into a USB port to speed up disk access. It caches files.

If you are least bit worried about the data falling into the hands of criminals or strangers or the newsmedia should the flash drive be lost or stolen, make sure you get a password-protected and ideally hardware-encrypted version so that data cannot be retrieved without the pass phrase.

As Scratch Drive

I attempted to use my SanDisk Cruzer as a small fast hard disk for scratch files. To my chagrin, I discovered it was much slower than hard disk. It seems to copy files quickly, but does not handle file record I/O well. So I suggest testing the speed of your flash drive before using it this way.

As DOS (Disk Operating System) Drive

You can make a flash drive bootable. You can place DOS/FreeDOS (or a small Linux) in the drive and boot to it to run old DOS utilities.

Secure flash drives

Uses:

• These are often used in security applications instead of manually keying passwords. You plug in your flash drive (which contains secret authorisation or decryption keys) to any USB port in order give you access to the confidential material. When you remove it, access is denied. Some versions are cleverly designed to prevent malicious programs from snooping the flash drive contents, or from maliciously simulating a flash drive with software. A flash drive might contain dozens of passwords, controlling in a very detailed way exactly what you are allowed to access. All you have to do is plug it in and remove it when done.
• Security software is used to protect data transported in flash drives. It someone steals or find the fob, the cannot retrieve the data. All manner of recent goverment data leak scandals could kve been prevented with a scure fob. You can transport one-time pads securely.
• You can use the to provide a variety of encryption keys to encrypt corporate data on disks and to store a list of Internet passwords.
• You can think of it as like a sophisticated key you plug into the ignition to give you specific access to various functions depending on which key you use. In a car, the analog would be a child’s key that lets them run the radio and DVD (Digital Video Disc) player only, or a valet’s key that lets them drive but not open the glove compartment or trunk.
• You can use them to protect your code-signing certificates.
• You can carry a secure offsite backup of all you data files.
• Clever units, such as the Safe Net iKey 2032, implement PKCS (Public-Key Cryptography Standards) #11 or cryptokey, a platform-independent scheme for hardware tokens. There is plenty of room in there for multiple keys. You could, for example, have different keys for different purposes or different keys for different times of day, days of the week, months, or years. They are like a more flexible dongle. Like ordinary thumbdrives, they can contain private keys, however, unlike ordinary flash drives, they protect them from being duplicated, even by the owner of the thumbkey. They keys cannot be extracted. They can only be used to digitally sign/encrypt/decrypt. So a flash drive can behave like a robust smart card. Like a smart card, they can have a pin.
• The Imation/Ironkey is a high-end secure card that self destructs if it detects tampering. They have a James-Bondian Flash demo to explain the product.
• There are flash drives with biometric finger print identification, with a built-in mini OS (Operating System), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encrypted data, These were specialty devices not long ago, but have become almost throw-away corporate gifts like pens. KCTS, the local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) public TV station is giving away 1 GB thumbdrives to people who make a pledge. There are even jumbo flash drives holding 60 GB actually a miniature hard disk. Trek flash drive make models with flash memory and hard drives and also a model especially for security keys. You could even use an iPod as a flash drive.

One project pending is to set up the Replicator with flash drive-controlled encryption. They could also be used to protect expensive software from being hacked by encrypting parts of it or the data decrypted with keys stored in the flash drive, or by putting part of the software itself in the flash drive.

In China 2 GB flash drives are manufactured for $3.50 each.

Kingston make a line of DataTraveler Vault secure USB flash drives. To your programs, they look like a small hard disk. The user has to enter a password to access it. You can’t use it like a smart card to install a secret private key that no one, not even the owner can look at. It has no CPU (Central Processing Unit). You could put private keys on it, but the owner who knows the password, could tamper with them. The main advantage is if the owner loses the fob, someone picking it up cannot access the files on it. Even with AES hardware encryption models, you cannot use this like a Smart Card.

USB Flash Drive vs Smart Card

In theory, there need be no sharp dividing line between a USB Flash drive and Smart Card but in practice they each serve a different niche.

Closing

There are two types of closing:

1. If you have an encrypted drive, you can close if so the data are no longer visible. You may click an icon or do it programmatically e.g. KDMBasic -u.
2. Before you unplug, you must prepare the drive for unplugging by clicking an icon on the bottom right of your screen that says Safely remove hardware and EjectMedia or by running DevEject.

Futures

I would think it should be possible to use a Universal ID in the form of a USB flash drive. It would contain a private key that cannot be extracted or duplicated. However, it could encrypt, decrypt and sign text presented to it. You would need a 4 button pin pad on it to prevent its use by someone who stole it. It could sign software and email. It would let you make credit card purchase, access ATM (Automated Teller Machine) machines. You could use to it prove your identity over the Internet. It could act as a passport, drivers licence, medical id… Government legislation could make it legal ID for multi-purposes which would then mean you would not even need a wallet, just the drive on your keyring. The technology to do this is far from rocket science. The impediments are political. I suppose it could start a bit at a time, perhaps first as a frequent visitor perk for hotel chains. It gives you access to VIP (Very Important Person) areas. It lets you pay your bill electronically without a credit card or if your credit cards are stolen. The military use a smart ID card called a CAC (Common Access Card) that is very close to this.

Very large flash drives are called SSDs (Solid State Disks).

Shopping for a USB Flash Drive

When comparing prices, check the shipping. It can be outrageous.

electronic link to Kingston Digital 32GB 100 G3 USB 3.0 DataTraveler (DT100G3/32GB)

	recommend electronic⇒Kingston Digital 32GB 100 G3 USB 3.0 DataTraveler (DT100G3/32GB)
	asin	B00C5K8E1A
This is a cheaper plastic version of the metal case Datatraveler Ultimate. Not encrypted. 100 Mb/s read. 10 Mb/s write. specs.
Online electronic stores carrying Kingston Digital 32GB 100 G3 USB 3.0 DataTraveler (DT100G3/32GB) amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Verbatim Store 'n' Go 64 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 97005

	recommend electronic⇒Verbatim Store 'n' Go 64 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 97005
	asin	B000BMZOBM
This drive has password protect and 256 bit AES encryption. It also features a capless design. The contact retreat into the drive when not in use, protected by two claws. Comes in sizes from 2 to 64 GB. There is also a USB 3.0 version. Claims up to 30 MBps and write speeds of up to 12 MBps. Measured 22 MBps and 12 MBps.
Online electronic stores carrying Verbatim Store 'n' Go 64 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 97005 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ80-064G-G46

	recommend electronic⇒SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ80-064G-G46
	asin	B00DZPUOUI
	dim	1.02 × 2.03 × 7.11 cm 0.40 × 0.80 × 2.80 in
This is one of the fastest USB3 flash drives. It comes in 16, 32 and 64 GB. To get the speed, you must use a USB3 port. Shop around to get the best price per GB. Comes with encryption software, but I don’t think it is onboard the fob. Retractable capless design. This is a good idea. It is so easy to misplace the cap. They claim up to 245 MB/s which has as much meaning as lose up to ten pounds in your first week. However, CrystalDiskMark measured sequential reads at 268MB/s, while sequential writes were 212MB/s.
Online electronic stores carrying SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ80-064G-G46 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Corsair Flash Survivor 32G USB 3.0

	recommend electronic⇒Corsair Flash Survivor 32G USB 3.0
	asin	B00YP5X4WW
Model CMFSV3B-32G, 32GB, super tough. Max Read (USB 3.0) 80MB/sec Max Write (USB 3.0) 40MB/Sec. Anodised aluminum case. Water seal.
Online electronic stores carrying Corsair Flash Survivor 32G USB 3.0 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Verbatim TUFF 'N' TINY 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive

	recommend electronic⇒Verbatim TUFF 'N' TINY 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
	asin	B001RCTA8I
	dim	3.05 × 1.27 cm 1.20 × 0½ in
Cheap, tiny and tough. USB-2. Designed to fit on a key ring. Comes in sizes from 2 to 32 GB. Different sizes are different colours: orange (2GB), green (4GB), purple (8GB), black (16GB), red (32GB). Has password protect of data, rare in such a cheap drive. It is even smaller than it looks. It will fit on a toonie. Verbatim claims read: 30MBps and write: 10MBps. Specs. These are cheap enough you might use them to distribute data, the way you would have given away floppies or CDs in earlier times.
Online electronic stores carrying Verbatim TUFF 'N' TINY 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ88-128G-G46

	recommend electronic⇒SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ88-128G-G46
	asin	B00HR7FWUC
	dim	1.10 × 2.10 × 7.10 cm 0.43 × 0.83 × 2.80 in
As of 2014-06-20 this was SanDisk’s top of the line model. It writes faster than any other drive I know of. It comes only in 128GB. It has a durable aluminum case and a lifetime warranty. It comes with AES encryption software, but I don’t think it has built-in hardware in the fob, making it less secure. CrystalMark rates it 260.7MB/s for sequential reads and 245.1MB/s writes. It is drastically slower for random access, but normally you use these devices only for copying (reading and writing files sequentially). Specs. This thing is so big and so fast you could think of it as a portable SSD drive.
Online electronic stores carrying SanDisk Extreme PRO USB 3.0 Flash Drive SDCZ88-128G-G46 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Kingston model DTVP30/32GB flash drive, 32 GB. Data Traveler, AES Encrypted

	recommend electronic⇒Kingston model DTVP30/32GB flash drive, 32 GB. Data Traveler, AES Encrypted
	asin	B00G31OP56
Kingston model DTVP30/32GB flash drive, 32 GB. Data Traveler, AES Encrypted Vault Privacy 256Bit, USB 3 You can’t use the CPU other than to encrypt/decrypt the data stored in the drive. Read up to 24 MBps. Write up to 10 MBps. Amazon sells this under many different ASINs for many different prices.
Online electronic stores carrying Kingston model DTVP30/32GB flash drive, 32 GB. Data Traveler, AES Encrypted amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Corsair Flash Voyager 16GB USB 3.0

	recommend electronic⇒Corsair Flash Voyager 16GB USB 3.0
	asin	B008MCZHVU
This product is not in stock at any of the Amazon stores. CMFVYGT3A-16GB. This drive is cheaper and faster than the equivalent USB 2.0 version. There a slightly cheaper, much slower blue version of this drive. 440 MB/s read, 5 MB/s write. It comes in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB verisons.
Online electronic stores carrying Corsair Flash Voyager 16GB USB 3.0 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Kanguru Defender 2000 8 GB USB flash drive

	recommend electronic⇒Kanguru Defender 2000 8 GB USB flash drive
	asin	B008BYYZOY
Note spelling: Kanguru not Kangaroo. 8GB. This is the deluxe version of the Kanguru Defender Basic. It works on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It comes in a strong alloy case to make it tamper resistant. It has management features. Like the Basic, it has AES encryption in hardware. It comes in sizes from 8 GB to 128 GB. If you use it for backup, you can take it with you wherever you go. You can restore anything from your backup anywhere. If your computer or backups are stolen, you will still have the fob on your keychain. Because it is password protected, if you lose the fob, the finder cannot read it. It weighs only 11 grams. Specs. The drive is not particularly fast, but consider it is doing so some pretty heavy encryption/encryption on the fly. It is not nearly as fast as a hard disk. Read 30 MB/s, Write: 20 MB/s. manual. To see the advantages of the more expensive models, see the comparison matrix. When you unlock the secure partition, it remains unlocked to all applications on the system unless you lock it back. There is no way to unlock it to only one application. This probably applies to encrypted, password-protected USB flash drives generally. It appears as two drives. One contains the autoplay logon application and one is the secure datadrive which looks like a removable drive, with no media, when you have not logged on. It is all menu driven and duck simple. If you buy direct from the manufacturer, you will have a choice capacities and custom engravings. They do not take PayPal. They ship only to the USA. Despite the name, they are based in Massachusetts, not Australia. When your drive arrives, go to the Kanguru site to download and install the latest firmware upgrade.
Online electronic stores carrying Kanguru Defender 2000 8 GB USB flash drive amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock