Removable storage devices are the type of storage media that can be ejected from a computer when it is still running. Typical examples of removable media include USB sticks, CDs and DVDs.
Removable storage devices provide an easy way to back up information or move information between computers. In everyday computing, removable devices provide fast data backup and recovery comparable to storage area networks.
The appeal of removable storage devices comes from the fact that they are portable. A removable hard disk, for instance, can hold up to 1 terabyte of data.
Computer users can choose from a variety of removable storage devices, and new types are always arriving on the market. The most common types are those that use a wired connection to a computer to transfer information. The less common types are those that can transfer data with or without a wired connection.
The idea of portable storage dates back to the early 1980s when the floppy disk was the most-used removable storage media. However, with advances in technology and computing, removable storage technology has advanced to become more sophisticated and widely available. One major disadvantage of removable media is that they are very susceptible to malware attacks.
