When we use technology, whatever the type of device or device, we can always run into risks that compromise our security. This means that we must take precautions and not make mistakes. In this article we are going to talk about USB memories , something that we use in our day to day life. Can they be a threat?
The risk of USB sticks
Using a USB memory or pendrive is very common. We can use it to transfer files from one computer to another, for example. Also to share information with other users, go to a copy shop to print documents, take backup copies on a trip …
If we only use these memories on personal computers, such as a desktop computer and a laptop, we may not have problems. Everything will depend on whether any of these computers that we are using has some type of malware and could infect the memory.
Now, what happens if we are going to connect it to other external devices? These devices are precisely designed to be easily transported. Anyone can keep a pendrive in their pocket and take it anywhere. This means that we connect it to many computers, that we share very diverse files, that we save information …
This is what makes these types of memories can pose a security risk . The spread of malware can be very fast. Simply if we have a malicious file inside a pendrive and connect it to a computer, this computer can also become infected.
Should we store sensitive information on a pendrive?
Beyond the fact that a USB memory can become infected and that in turn compromises the security of the computers where we put it, we must also take into account the issue of privacy when saving data.
Should we save any kind of data? It must be taken into account that when connecting the memory to a computer, this computer could be infected and have software configured to extract all the content . Our pendrive may not get infected, but the data we have saved may leak.
It could also logically be the case that we lose it. Such a memory can get lost anywhere and end up in the wrong hands.
This makes it very unwise to store sensitive data on the pendrive. It is advisable to take precautions to prevent our privacy from being compromised.
What to do to use pendrives safely
What can we take into account to avoid putting security at risk when using a USB memory? We are going to give some essential tips for this. The objective is that our data is safe and not endanger any device.
Avoid unsafe equipment
The first thing is that we should avoid as much as possible using this type of memory in equipment that we cannot fully trust . For example, public computers where many users pass daily and we do not know if it is infected with any malware or that even a malicious user has left a trap.
This must also be taken into account when we are going to leave that memory to someone. We don’t know if your equipment is going to be reliable or not and you have to be careful.
Using multiple USB sticks
In case we have to make use of this type of device, we can always choose to have several USB memory sticks and dedicate one to these situations. This way we reduce the risk. We can have one for private use, for example to transfer files from one computer to another, while another pendrive can be used when we have to pass information to someone, go to a store to print documents, etc.
Alternative operating systems
We can also use alternative operating systems that we use only to analyze this type of memory. For example, we can use a Linux distribution to test the USB memory and check if it really has any type of malware or is safe, before using it in Windows.
We already know that most malware is designed to run on computers with Microsoft‘s operating system, thus putting the proper functioning of those computers at risk. But we can use other alternatives to test the danger of that memory. Also a virtual machine or go into safe mode, for example.
Encrypt memories and files
On the other hand, we can also encrypt the memories and stored files . In this way we can avoid that in case our information is exposed when using another computer they could actually read what is inside, and also avoid that in case of loss they could access all the content.
In short, making use of USB memories is very common and also useful, but we must bear in mind that security is not always present. Avoid unnecessary risks and properly protect equipment.
