Be careful with that USB memory key

We've seen some pretty small USB keys in the office. The current record on my desk is the PNY microattache, about half the size of a postage stamp. That's useful when carrying it around but it makes it very hard to keep track of.

My worry is clearly not unfounded as it appears that 17,000 USB keys were found by dry cleaners according to a survey by Credant.

The problem is not so much the cost of replacing a USB memory key; a 2GB memory key can cost less than £5 online. The real danger is the loss of information and that it might fall into the wrong hands.

So what can you do?

The good news is that it's not that hard to protect the contents of USB key with a password using software such as Toucan. I recorded an explaination of how to do this, which you can find in our PC help section here.

It's not just USB keys when you think about it. People have questioned why I have a key code on my phone, but it's even more important than the USB key. Not only does it have personal photos and videos but my email accounts.

So my advice, set a password on your phone and encrypt your USB keys using the advice in the video above. To by honest, I've pretty much stopped using USB keys for my current work folder in favour of Dropbox.

The figure was calculated by calling 500 dry cleaners and then extrapolating that figure based on 4,500 dry cleaners in the UK. Extrapolating meaning multiplying by 9 I imagine, although I grant that sounds a lot less impressive.