USB Ports - Risks and Safety Precautions

By Eshanvi Smith

USB might be termed as the latest craze in the industrial computer components industry, but this fashionable accessory can also be a root cause of disaster, if proper precautions are not adhered to. These thumb nail size marvels might be considered as one of the most convenient computer accessory, but it can be a great threat to Internet security as well.

The threat involved with the USB ports are the cyber criminals that are writing viruses and worms and thus infecting the USB ports. As soon as the user enters this infected port in the home PC, they can load the bug which can result in crippling the computer hardware. Their small size is one reason that makes them easier to lose and if some important data contained in it is not encrypted, there is chance that the USB ports can be tampered with, resulting in identity theft and other types of cyber crime.

This write up throws some light on this sensitive issue, which otherwise gets unnoticed. Following are some of the precautionary measures that can prevent the occurrence of these crimes to a large extent. Follow these tips to minimize the risk of your USB being hacked.

1. One of the most reliable way to prevent identification theft is to make sure that you do not load or carry any kind of personal information on the USB products.

2. Encryption is an important aspect to be taken care of if you are to put any personal or sensitive data in your USB's. Various reliable encryption programs are available and one only needs to download them. By encryption, one can be sure that the information on the USB cannot be read without being decoded first.

3. Using secure devices is another option. Various technologically advanced USB drives have added features like fingerprint authentication and built-in encryption that proves great in making this device hacker-protected. Invest in one of these USB ports that are much more user friendly and safe at the same time.

4. Keeping these computer components in a safe place is the most important tip of all. As they are very small, they are at a greater risk of being lost. Choose a USB drop spot which is easier to access and remember. This will ensure that you do not lose them easily.

5. If possible, try to keep separate devices for home as well as office purpose as there is a chance that you can accidentally introduce a virus to you home computer courtesy to one of the infected systems at office. As per the New York security consultant, Scudder, it is important to know the norms of any company before plugging your USB to the network.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshanvi_Smith

Eco USB

By Matt Money

More and more businesses are becoming aware of their carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment and they are taking steps to counteract or balance their carbon emissions. One of the most recent way to help combat this is to switch to green or eco friendly promotional items!

Every business at some point will use promotional items to promote their company, service or brand and with the introduction of eco friendly promotional items it is now possible to do this and reduce their carbon footprint. Eco friendly promotional items are made from recycled materials or materials that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Instead of using newly manufactured materials they opt for a recycled version. The eco products have exactly the same promotional impact with their clients but with the added benefit of promoting a green and ethical business message. Everyone likes to be seen to be green and to be playing their part in the fight against global warming.

One of the most popular items to come out of the Far East in recent times is the eco usb. These portable storage devices allow users to drag and drop documents from their computer onto the memory of the flash drive and take it with them wherever they go i.e home or on business trips. The eco usb products feature a shell made from recycled plastic or in some cases bamboo. Bamboo is a very popular option and the bamboo is often sourced from sustainable sources. In fact bamboo is one of the fastest growing woody plants on the planet and some species can grown up to 1 metre per day!

The eco usb flash drives like all promotional products can be custom printed with your company logo and are a great way of promoting a green message. They are often used to hand out at events or exhibitions and the internal memory can also be uploaded with a company logo or presentation. If your company has considered purchasing flash drives in recent times then take a look at the range of eco usb products as an alternative. They work in exactly the same way but you can be sure that you will be playing your part in keeping the planet green!

Matthew Money is the online editor for USBflash which is a leading UK supplier of eco usb products and a range of promotional usb flash drives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Money