Pen Drive Security Threat

Pen drive is one of the most familiar devices with anyone who is using a computer these days. The portable gadget is growing immensely popular for its extended functionality in different sectors. Apart from being a perfect device for storing and transferring data, the popularity of the device has been fueled by its convenience of use.

However, every technology has its downside. The more the tech-savvies run after improved technology, the more they are being exposed to the dangers that are associated with the technology. Pen drive is not an exception in this regard. Although it has simplified the process of storing volumes of data, it has its own share of threats that can be hazardous and sometimes lead to disastrous consequences. Some of the major problems with pen derive are discussed bellow.

Virus threat:

In the corporate world, chances are their one can send virus to the PCs of an organization and disrupt functions. Earlier, the prime sources of virus to a computer were emails or floppy drives. However, the technology has evolved to check the virus from these sources and protect the PC. But, it is really difficult to detect the virus transmitted through a pen drive. Unless a company has strong anti-virus policies or unless each file in a networked is being checked for the security, it is almost impossible to protect the PCs against the virus that comes with a pen drive.

Data insecurity:

The corporate sectors across the world are vying with each other to stay afloat and at times they don`t hesitate to deploy any unethical means to get data from their rivals. If you flip the pages of history, you will find numerous instances where hackers and spies have been employed for espionage. Being a small device, pen drive creates opportunities for the miscreants to access data from unprotected PC that has an open USB port and steal information such as research data, clients` list, quotes and etc. As it is possible to store huge amount of data in the pen drive, anyone can easily bring the software in it to decode the password of the PC or hack other information.

Use of spamware:

Sometimes, the treats come with the employees of the organization. Apart from bringing the virus, the pen drive is able to carry malicious software that can be planted in a PC by anyone. Often, the employees go against the corporate ethics and use the device to take unauthorized software and data such as shareware, games, MP3 music, software pranks, video clips, pornography pictures, etc. Moreover, the introduction of the pen drive has multiplied the threats of data insecurity and bringing bulky spamware with its available space. The organizations are more susceptible to threats as the software with password cracking ability can also be carried easily.

Prone to data Loss:

Pen drive is a very small and useful device. But the most dangerous downside of the device is that it lacks any security system. So, if you have stored data in it and it is misplaced, anyone can access the data. Due to its small size the chances of loss are high. You and your organization may be in trouble in case the data is manipulated. Of late, there have been growing demands among the pen drive users to develop the device with security system.

Companies have been taking conscious protest against the threats involved with the portable device like small drive. However, the organizations need to be extremely careful about the use of this device inside the office premises.

You can have access to articles about pen drives in portuguese language from page Pen_Drive

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil