Your Data Saved In USB Flash Drive Might Be At Risk

How Your Data Saved In USB Flash Drive Might Be At Risk

Where USB flash drive serve computer users all around the world, similarly, it imposes threats to the data of computer users in every part of the world. One of the examples of just big threats was witnessed by the whole world when Edward Snowden, who was an employee of NSA (National Security Agency) and CIA (Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) stole confidential information of the department and revealed to in front of the world. Stealing data for Snowden was just a piece of cake, all he did was that he carried an ordinary USB flash drive to the workplace, copied all the data that he intended to compromise and walk away with all that information. Here are some of the threats imposed by USB flash drive to your data security.

Insider Threat
USB drives are as small as a human thumb nail in size and have the immense capability of storing data. This quality of pen drives makes them a perfect tool to steal data. An employee who is furious on a company or is bribed to leak data can easily carry sensitive information from the company and hand it over to the rival entrepreneur. You might be astonished to know that insider threat is the second biggest threat after the threat imposed to data security by hackers.

Prone to Getting Lost and Stolen
Due to the small size of USB flash drive, it imposes huge threats to your data that is saved in those small data storing devices. Their tiny existence makes them prone to getting lost and stolen, even if you have deleted all the data saved in that portable drive before it was lost, your data will still be at risk of getting compromised. Because when you delete files from a pen drive, it actually does not get removed; instead a small sheet covers the saved files that can easily be extracted by an expert. Using USB Security Software can secure your data saved in your USB jump drive.

Spread Malware

Hackers used to spread malware via emails and other infectious links through the internet. But, these cyber criminals have learned a more effective way of spreading infectious program i.e. via USB flash drives. Research suggests that more than 70 percent of the people who find an abandoned USB flash drive will like to plug it into the computer without even giving a single thought about their data’s security. Even more than 30 percent of the IT pros tend to plug it into their computer.

The steps you can take to stop data leakage through USB flash drive is only allowed the authorized users to use only authorized small portable data storing devices. The new principle of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) should not be encouraged as it imposes as it establishes some real chances of data theft. All in all, USB flash drive is such a wonderful piece of invention that is helping millions of users all around the world to transfer data. You just need to be a bit careful and take some precautions while using it for the sake of your data’s security.