UNHCE Information Technology & Distance Education Blog

USB keys or flash drives, as they are sometimes referred are a convenient new technology used in transporting and transferring files between computers. USB keys come in a variety of sizes and are small enough to carry on a key chain.

There are, however, a number of draw backs to using them. Windows XP will recognize them without installing software, but, as Windows 98 predates the widespread use of USB keys, they are not equipped to automatically accept this type of device. Software must be installed into machine using the Windows 98 system to enable the key to be used.

Also, although USB ports are pretty standard nowadays, not all computers have a USB port on the front so you may need to buy another cable in order to use the key.

The most important thing to be aware of is that if you lose the key, anyone can read the information on it. All they need to do is plug it in their computer! One way of addressing this concern is to purchase a USB key with password protection built in. This way, even if you lose your key, your data will be secured by the password. Password protection is not standard with all USB keys, so be sure to check if this is a feature you are interested in.

If you are thinking of buying a USB key and need some help on selecting the right size and capabilities feel free to contact the ITDE team.