How to Password Protect and Partition a USB Flash Drive

By Derek RogersKnowing how to password protect and partition a USB flash drive is very important to the safety, integrity, and manageability of your data.

When you partition a USB flash drive, you make it so that you can write software into your flash memory while at once running software in another bank of your flash memory (thus you will need a flash memory with at least two banks; one bank = four memory chips). Partitioning is used to enhance manageability, performance, or data availability.

The BIOS command for partitioning your USB flash drive is: Router (config) #partition flash partitions [size1 size2]

Note: if you are running a Cisco 1600 or 3600 series router (modular, multiservice access platforms), your command would be: Router (config) #partition flash-filesystem: [number-of-partitions] [partition-size]

There is software called BootIt that you can download and use to cause Windows XP or Vista to allow you multiple USB flash drive partitions by "Flipping the Removable Bit" that restricts partitioning. However, this software is potentially harmful to your flash memory drive and is not recommended. Two other flash memory partition software packages that are more reliable are Advanced Partition Manager 6.0 (lets you create, copy, resize, and move hard drive partitions without data loss), and Rohos Mini Drive (lets you create a password protected USB drive partition on a guest computer).

Cisco routers permit more than two flash drive partitions (it all depends on how many banks your flash drive has). Every other platform will permit just two partitions.

For password protection of your USB flash memory drive, there is a free program called Cryptainer LE that many people use. Now, to use this program you need to slice up your drive into segments (the software does that for you), but the maximum volume size per segment is 25Mb--meaning that a lot of files that aren't the usual text files can't be protected unless you use multiple drives, which is very cumbersome. Another program that is similar but isn't quite as restricted is Folder Lock, which allows you to set up a password protection system on your PC and then export it to your USB flash drive and then put different folders under digital lock and key in different "lockers".

Another program called Securestix (not free) let's you pick and choose which USB flash drive files you will password protect. Let's face it: some files that are highly valuable to you just don't have any meaning to a would-be identity thief.

Some flash memory drive devices come with password protection software. These typically allow you to designate some files as "public" or "private", and some might even come with fingerprint reading security programming.

Again, knowing how to password protect and partition a USB flash drive is important knowledge that allows you to operate your flash drive with safety and better performance.

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How to Restrict USB Flash Drive to Virtual Machine

By Derek Rogers

Knowing how to restrict a USB flash drive to a virtual machine operation can be highly useful and help your applications to be more secure.

A virtual machine is essentially a software program that imitates a hardware program. According to the Computer Desktop Encyclopaedia, this is a "traditional virtualization technique that enables different operating systems to run in the same computer as well as to prevent applications from interfering with each other. Each virtual machine is like a 'machine within the machine and functions as if it owned the entire computer. The operating systems in each virtual machine communicate with the hardware via an abstraction layer called a 'virtual machine monitor' (VMM) or 'hypervisor'. The operating systems run without modification unless they use the para-virtualization method."

1. Virtual machines are very useful for these three applications:Eliminating the need for a whole new computer to run an application that requires a foreign OS.

2. Running development and production programs at the same time so that if the program under development crashes production is not interfered with.

3. Using multiple production virtual machines to protect against interference or corruption from the simultaneous running of allegedly safe and secure commercial applications without the need to run multiple servers.

Restricting a USB flash drive so that it is used as a virtual machine is an ideal way of using a flash memory drive. You would first want to partition your USB flash memory drive so that you can simultaneously run two different applications: one is a software writing application and the other is an already existing application. Once you have your USB flash memory drive partitioned, you can then apply it as a virtual machine for all three of a virtual machine's main functions. This is especially useful if you are a computer tech. If you are trying to troubleshoot a computer that would require you to access a foreign OS the flash drive can be made use of. If you need to make use of code, that writing program may crash frequently, but that won't affect your other running program. And, you can rest assured that your flash drive's data won't be corrupted by any corrupted data on the computer.

Another great point to keep in mind about using your flash memory drive in this way is that this creates a synchronous operating of multiple operating systems; this is not a mere multiboot or dual-boot system that you effect.

As databases grow and more applications with more diverse operating systems are developed, the use of virtual machines is likely to become ever more important and widespread, and the USB flash memory drive, with its data compression and portability, will likely grow ever more useful as a facilitator for the easy creation of a virtual machine environment. Knowing how to restrict a USB flash drive to a virtual machine operation enables you to access multiple "streams of consciousness" at once without fear of them causing each other to crash or be corrupted.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.

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The Advantages of USB Flash Drive

By Shawn Paul

A USB flash drive is a NAND type flash memory. The NAND type flash memory was designed for the exchange and saving of data as alternative to the magnetic disk. The NAND type flash memory has the capacity to hold large volumes of data. The writing and erasing speed is also fast. On the other hand the random access is rather slow because it uses block as a unit for the purpose of writing and reading.

The USB drive is made up of secure case small circuit board and is integrated with a universal serial bus connector. The secure case is typically made up of rubber or metal. This secure case protects the circuit board of the USB drive from damage and increases the robustness. The USB drives are very much smaller than the floppy disks and are rewritable.

The USB drive can be easily inserted into the USB port of the computer. With the help of USB flash drive, data can be safely and easily transferred. The USB drive is more reliable and safer than the floppy disks. The USB drives are small and compact, therefore the users can carry them easily in their pockets or they can attach it with their key chains as well.

The USB drives are more reliable when huge amounts of data has to be moved. Some of the USB drives allow 1 million erase or write cycles. The USB Memory card readers have a removable flash memory card. The USB flash drives provide more benefits to its users than the other storage devices. Almost all the computers and laptops have the USB ports, therefore the users can easily transfer the data. Most of the modern operating systems have the USB mass storage standard which is required by the USB flash drives to operate.

The USB 2.0 are much faster than the optical disk in terms of the data storage in much smaller space. The name "drive" is given to the USB flash drive because the USB flash appears to the OS of the computer like a mechanical drive and the method of access is also the same.

The USB connector must be protected and kept safe using a removable cap or by retracting the USB connector into the body of the USB flash drive.The USB flash drives use all the power supply from the host connection. Some high speed USB drives may require more power supply than provided by the bus powered USB hub. Therefore these drives will function when they are directly plugged into the self powered hub or the host controller.

The USB drives are most often composed of three components, the male connector type A, crystal oscillator and the USB mass storage controller. The function of the type A connector is to interface with the system of the host computer. While on the other hand the USB mass storage controller helps in balancing and storage of the data. The USB mass storage controller enhances and carries out smooth processing of the decoding, encryption and transfer of the data between the systems. The function of the crystal oscillator is to make sure that the out put of the flash drive is of the best quality.

The reason that the USB drives became more popular is that the floppy drives were most of the time failed to read the data from the floppy disk. Therefore, the users had problems while transferring the data using the floppy disks. The USB flash drives do not have movable parts like the floppy disks had.

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USB Flash Drives - More Reliable Than Its Predecessors

By Sarah Reece

Over the years there have been several implementations in regard to storing electronic data. From floppy discs to DVDs, there are a plethora of options for you and your electronic storage needs. While both of these options are useful and reliable, a USB flash drive is compact, portable, and safer than its media storage predecessors.

USB flash drives are safer than traditional storage methods as they can seamlessly transfer and store files between the unit and your computer. There's no "burn time" or time needed for the files to be encoded onto the drive as opposed to storing media on a disk. No more worrying about whether or not someone is looking over your shoulder to see what you're storing; flash drives allow for quick storage in just a few seconds.

Flash drives are also safeguarded from hacking. If you feel at all weary of whose hands your USB flash drive could fall into, password protect your unit! Most USB flash drives come automatically encrypted for your file safety. You can also delete files as necessary from your drive whenever you deem it necessary.

They are also less susceptible to damage as opposed to a storage medium like a CD. Most drives come with caps to protect the drive itself from dirt or moisture. You can feel confident your media is protected while using the flash drive.

USB flash drives are small, lightweight and can hold a lot of data. They won't break after routine use, and can last a very long time. Media can be added and deleted with a click of a button, and they are compact enough to fit on a key ring. Is there any reason why USB flash drives are not useful?

Sarah Reece writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Sarah Reece is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for iFox Technologies

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Flash Drives

By :Derek R Andrews

Flash Storage Drives are wonderful little devices. Gone are the days of storing three or four word documents on your floppy disk. Now you can store tens of thousands of documents and files on a single tiny flash storage drive! They are very resilient, so you no longer have to worry about dropping it, or storing it near a magnet. Your data is much safer on a flash storage drive then it ever was on a floppy disk! If you often use more than one computer (such as one at work or school, and one at home), you know how important it is to be able to move files between your computers. Flash storage drives make it simple. All you have to do is plug it in the USB slot, copy your files over, and you're done. There's really nothing to it. Despite their ease of use and convenience, flash storage drives are also very inexpensive. For around 10 dollars, sometimes less, you can now get a basic drive that will suit most of your needs.

There are also a few other neat uses for Flash Storage Drives you may not know about. For instance, you can store music on them, so you can listen to your favorite songs anywhere you can plug it into a PC. There is also new audio equipment that has a built-in USB port so you can just plug a USB flash drive directly into the unit and listen to your music without a PC!

You can also use your flash storage drives to encrypt sensitive data. There are freely available programs such as TrueCrypt that will allow you to encode your data with a password so that if your flash drive gets lost or stolen, the files will be unreadable by anyone without the password.

Flash Storage Drives also make a great toolkit for PC repair. Just load your favorite antivirus, antispyware, and diagnostic tools on the drive and you're ready to go! There are many more uses for flash storage drives, and with a little creativity you'll be amazed at how versatile and handy they can be!

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Flash Drives in the Workplace No More

By: Terry Detty

The last few years we have seen an increase in sales of the fancy looking USB flash drives. They have been made as small as a keychain figurine or a tie clip. Yes, USB flash drives to wear on your tie. Now that these flash drives have made their way to everyone because of the affordable pricing, many workplaces are banning them from the office.

It is one of the best ways to steal company information without anyone knowing about it. Many companies have as far as disabling the USB ports on employee’s computers. This may seem a little extreme, but companies have to protect their information.

Although some businesses give these little units to their employees for advertising purposes, they are not allowed to use them in the workplace. They are basically given as an advertisement with the company logo on them for others to see. There are so many harmful affects that these flash drives can have on a business.

Because of their different shapes and designs, businesses have decided to pull the plug on the USB ports. You might look at someone’s keychain and think that little gadget they have is cute, but that cute little gadget could ruin your business.

This type of theft and the creation of the USB flash drives brought concern from many businesses and individuals alike. What if you are individual that carries around a USB flash drive in their purse or on a keychain would lose the unit?

All information would be lost and open to anyone who finds the flash drive. This causes concern for concern for how to properly store the flash drives that have sensitive information recorded. Carrying around a flash drive is just like carrying around your credit card. If you lose it, you are vulnerable to fraud.

For the most part, flash drives have allowed people to download music, pictures and files and free up room on the laptop or the desktop computer. These are also valuable in the event you would lose information on your computer due to a hacker or a virus. In this case, the USB flash drives are extremely necessary.

You can buy different size flash drives to hold different amounts of information. If you download a huge amount of music, you may want a USB flash drive that can accommodate all the files or more than one.

New technology has enhanced the use of the computer for more than one reason. People can now use flash drives for file storage and businesses can storage vital information on these drives in order to keep it safe from potential security leaks. Although businesses ban the use of the flash drives from employee’s, the company themselves do use these as way’s to conduct business during travels. They can make presentations and instead of carrying a laptop along on their travels, they just take the flash drive.

Today, with the higher security in airports, it is always important to check with new security rules before attempting to take a flash drive on the airplane to make sure it will be accepted. In most cases, you will find that they are allowed. Other business concerns the flash drives are a valuable and handy little piece of technology that will help secure important files and information.

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Disposing of Your USB Flash Drives

By Chris Proth

After using your USB Flash Drive for a couple of years you'll probably find it dated old looking and of poor spec compared to something else you could buy for half the price. Not surprisingly you'll probably trade it in for a newer USB Flash Drive with more data capacity. However before throwing your flash drive away, it is important that you erase any sensitive data held on the USB Flash Drive in case it gets into the wrong hands. Giving out your own personal data could lead to somebody committing fraud against you; losing somebody else's could lead to a criminal conviction.

USB Flash Drives are seen as a security threat by many businesses and government agencies; this concern is not unjustified as there have been a number of security breaches as a consequence of their misuse. US Military USD Flash Drives were found be sold in markets in Afghanistan, some of these Flash Drives contained names of suspects and the personal details of over 600 troops. This information could have been used for all sorts of purposes if it had got into the wrong hands, and was caused, one would hope, by ignorance of the soldiers who disposed of them.

To prevent such leaks organisations should have policies set for the disposal of memory products such as hard drives and USB Flash Drives. One commonly used option is file shredding, which deletes the chosen files and folders and then writes over them in random patterns, the more this is done the harder it is to recover the information from the disk.
Chris Proth is an avid commentator on promotional technology for USB Flash Drive Chris Proth recommends Flashbay .Ltd

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