What if I never store data on my harddrive, but store the data on a flashdrive, can the data be retrieved from?
What if I never store data on my harddrive, but store the data on a flashdrive, can the data be retrieved from my harddrive? I ask for security reasons. My theory is that if I never store data on my harddrive and my computer gets stolen the thief cannot access my data. True of false?
Tagged with: flashdrive • harddrive • security reasons • thief
Filed under: Computer Data Security
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True . . . I think. The flash drive can be taken out of your computer’s USB (or some other kind of) port and placed elsewhere. The files will remain on the flash drive for the next time you plug it into your computer. Your hard drive will have nothing on it, and if someone steals your computer (which is quite unlikely . . .), they will not be able to access your files.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle, you can encrypt your files so that they can only be accessed by entering a password. Just search for Google for "how to encrypt files."
It may be possible – it depends on the applications you are using.
eg Some browsers will store data in a cache located on your hard drive, even if you open the site from a page on your USB stick
As will severeal Microsoft programs, unless you have twaeaked them to avoid such a store.
Some apps will still store data on your hard drive unless set not to.
Most apps will store their temporary data or cache on your hard drive, which although auto deleted, can be retrieved by someone thats seriously looking for data.
Also the filenames (incase they are sensetive, eg. porn) can be retrieved from windows history, etc.
If you a serious about it, then you can install windows on your flashdrive & boot off that every time you want to work with sensitive data, thats a bit overkill though.
But generaly, if you are storing your data on the flashdrive then you should be fairly safe.