A secure memory stick is a happy memory stick, and whether we realise it or not it’s what we all really need.

And like most things in computing there is more than one way to achieve this; the first is using software to provide a secure file area where you are able store your files. The second is to use a hardware enabled USB memory device with access control built in, and this is the main focus of this discussion. However which is better for you depends on your personal preferences.

Worried about how reliable the flash memory your memory stick may be, well Toshiba, the inventor of flash memory, has worked it out for us.

Excellent Reliability for Consumer Applications

Just for this month, another opportunity to save some more money for this year.

Use Code FEBRUARY for 10% off annual and biannual services

Unfortunately it expires the end of the month so be quick.

John

Special discount offer 10% OFF EVERYTHING at Memory Bits and 99p shipping.

MemoryBits are specialists in selling memory and accessories for computers, game consoles, cameras, and more..

Here are our 5 top tips for USB flash backup
Your indispensable guide to using your USB flash drive for data back up

1. Empty it
Its no good using your backup USB drive for everyday use. You are bound to make a mistake and delete something you didn't mean to without knowing it, and what a disaster that would be.

Microsoft advice on disabling Windows' "Autorun" feature to protect against Downadup does not work ! it leaves users wanting to protect their PCs against the fast-spreading Downadup worm open to attack.

In an alert issued on Monday, US-CERT said Microsoft's instructions on turning off Autorun are "not fully effective" and "could be considered a vulnerability."

Want a 'clean' USB memory stick ? Would you believe that a study by Credant Technologies has show that in the last year, 9000 USB sticks have been forgotten in people’s pockets as they take their clothes to be washed at the local dry cleaners.

The survey was carried out across the whole of the UK, to gauge the frequency and ease with which mobile devices such as USB and memory sticks are lost or forgotten in strange places.

Another instance of a lost memory stick. This time an unfortunate health worker lost a memory stick containing patient information, and this time things went one better by having the password attached.

So they managed to put into the wild the personal details of more than 6,000 prisoners that were carried on the USB stick, which was being used to back up clinical databases at HMP Preston.

It was lost on December 30 so if you picked up a stick with a password attached on New Years Eve it didn't come out out that old christmas cracker and you know where to send it.

John

Some of you may have noticed that I have a bit of a like for mentioning the fact that the most important thing you can do if you are a USB memory stick user is to back up your data regularly. It's the beginning of another year so why not start it with good backup habits, now!

Unfortunately several people were incorrectly mailed with news that they were successful in our recent competition.

This was sent due to a database cock-up and a correction e-mail was sent several minutes later.

I can confirm that the only successful entrants were;

Kathy Downing, Abbots Langley, Herts
Kenneth Jackson, Gainsborough, Lincs
Paul Maxwell, Castle Douglas
Alan McWilliam, Dundee
Ron Weil, Worksop