Thumb drive
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{{FormatInfo | {{FormatInfo | ||
|formattype=physical | |formattype=physical | ||
| + | |subcat=flash memory | ||
| + | |image=Thumbdrives.jpg | ||
| + | |caption=Two thumb drives | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | A '''thumb drive''', or '''USB flash drive''', is a small device which can be inserted into a [[USB]] port in a computer or other electronic device in order to provide storage | + | A '''thumb drive''', or '''USB flash drive''', is a small consumable device which can be inserted into a [[USB]] port in a computer or other electronic device in order to provide storage, transfer of data, or to boot "live" OS.<ref>[[wikipedia:Live USB|Wikipedia article on Live USB]]</ref> It resembles a disk drive to the computer, but has no moving parts; [[flash memory]] is used. They are widely used due to their compact size (smaller than a floppy disk or CD),<ref>[https://boingboing.net/2013/08/14/rugged-tiny-usb-flash-drive-fi.html Rugged tiny USB flash drive fits on a key ring]</ref> offers high storage capacity<ref>[https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-max?capacity=1tb&connector=usb-a 1TB DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Series Flash Drive - Kingston]</ref>, and faster random access than most of its counterparts, excluding Solid State Drives (SSD). The memory is non-volatile, so it will generally hold its data indefinitely, and is freely writable like a floppy or hard disk. Due to their affordability, USB flash drives are prone to malfunctioning, for instance once the limit of cycles has reached.<ref>[https://superuser.com/questions/431292/how-many-times-can-data-be-read-from-a-usb-flash-drive memory - How many times can data be read from a USB flash drive? - Super User]</ref> Other ways USB flash drives could be due to the environment. |
| − | Many varieties of thumb drives exist with different data capacities. | + | Many varieties of thumb drives exist with different data capacities. Often the [[ExFAT]] filesystem is used to organize data on them. |
| − | == | + | Because the thumb drive is an electronic device with some in-built intelligence of its own which responds to read and write requests, it is possible to create "hacked" drives which do unusual things such as wipe themselves out if unwanted data retrieval events take place. Such techniques are discussed in a video lecture.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijyAwxH_iok Writing a thumbdrive from scratch: Video lecture describing "hacking" the low level of a thumb drive and its firmware and interfaces, for such purposes as hiding your data from forensic scans]</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | == Links == | ||
* [[Wikipedia:USB flash drive|Wikipedia article]] | * [[Wikipedia:USB flash drive|Wikipedia article]] | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20151028044359/https://discuss.howtogeek.com/t/how-to-prevent-usb-flash-drives-from-catching-viruses-and-malwares-when-used-in-unsafe-pcs/4211 Discussion about whether it's possible to write-protect a thumb drive - Internet Archive copy] |
| + | * [https://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/how-to/conceal-usb-flash-drive-everyday-items-0133133/ How to Conceal a USB Flash Drive in Everyday Items] | ||
| + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20220528052640/https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/softgame.html Library of Congress Recommended Format Specifications: Software/Gaming - Internet Archive copy] | ||
| + | * [https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-weaponized-usb-stick-gets-even-more-dangerous/ This laptop-bricking USB stick just got even more dangerous - ZDNet] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 01:55, 16 August 2025
A thumb drive, or USB flash drive, is a small consumable device which can be inserted into a USB port in a computer or other electronic device in order to provide storage, transfer of data, or to boot "live" OS.[1] It resembles a disk drive to the computer, but has no moving parts; flash memory is used. They are widely used due to their compact size (smaller than a floppy disk or CD),[2] offers high storage capacity[3], and faster random access than most of its counterparts, excluding Solid State Drives (SSD). The memory is non-volatile, so it will generally hold its data indefinitely, and is freely writable like a floppy or hard disk. Due to their affordability, USB flash drives are prone to malfunctioning, for instance once the limit of cycles has reached.[4] Other ways USB flash drives could be due to the environment.
Many varieties of thumb drives exist with different data capacities. Often the ExFAT filesystem is used to organize data on them.
Because the thumb drive is an electronic device with some in-built intelligence of its own which responds to read and write requests, it is possible to create "hacked" drives which do unusual things such as wipe themselves out if unwanted data retrieval events take place. Such techniques are discussed in a video lecture.[5]
[edit] Links
- Wikipedia article
- Discussion about whether it's possible to write-protect a thumb drive - Internet Archive copy
- How to Conceal a USB Flash Drive in Everyday Items
- Library of Congress Recommended Format Specifications: Software/Gaming - Internet Archive copy
- This laptop-bricking USB stick just got even more dangerous - ZDNet
[edit] References
- ↑ Wikipedia article on Live USB
- ↑ Rugged tiny USB flash drive fits on a key ring
- ↑ 1TB DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Series Flash Drive - Kingston
- ↑ memory - How many times can data be read from a USB flash drive? - Super User
- ↑ Writing a thumbdrive from scratch: Video lecture describing "hacking" the low level of a thumb drive and its firmware and interfaces, for such purposes as hiding your data from forensic scans
