Are you using external storage devices correctly?

External storage device, like universal serial bus (USB) sticks, are handy accessories for offices in the UK.

Light and small, these flash drives are simple to use, and can carry different amount of data.

Whether you’re storing data temporarily or sharing it with colleagues and collaborators, they can be helpful for the day-to-day running of administration tasks. Here, we’ll run through the best practices for using external drives, and quick fixes for issues you may encounter during use.

Secure use of USBs

While they can be a valuable aid for the same reason, USBs can also represent a risk by how easily and swiftly they connect with computers. If a portable device is infected with malware, it can seriously harm your hardware.

To combat this, there are some rules to adhere to. Don’t plug USBs into your machine if you don’t trust it, and protect the drive you use personally with a password to ensure it can’t be accessed and used by others, picking up malware along the way.

Brand-new USB? Here’s what to do

When you get a fresh USB drive, you should give it a name, format it and password protect it.

To protect your device, USB drive and the data it holds, eject your flash drive correctly when you’ve finished using it, following the onscreen instructions. Don’t simply pull it out.

At 127 Solutions, we offer rapid IT support when you need it most. Reach out to us now to discuss the different levels of support we can offer, and ensure your workflow is never impacted by unwanted IT issues.