Do You Still Need to “Safely Remove” USB Flash Drives? 

For years, “unsafely ejecting” a USB flash drive was a serious misstep — one that could lead to corruption and permanent data loss — but in 2024, it’s not as big of an issue.  Here’s why: Operating systems have implemented...
January 12, 2024

What Is Chip-Off Data Recovery for Flash Media?

Chip-off data recovery (or chip-off forensics) refers to the process of removing the memory chips from a USB drive, smartphone, memory card, or another device that uses non-volatile flash memory. After removal, raw data can be extracted from the memory...
June 29, 2023

Why a Flash Card Reports an Incorrect Capacity

If your computer recognizes your flash card but presents an incorrect capacity, it’s probably due to firmware issues.  Firmware is specialized software that provides basic instructions to your computer, enabling your machine to read the target device.  If firmware becomes...
June 26, 2023

I Snapped My USB Drive in Half. Is It Recoverable?

USB flash drives are convenient, but if you’re carrying a storage device in your pocket, you’re taking certain risks. We frequently receive flash drives that have been cracked open, snapped in half, or washed in the laundry — obviously, those...
November 28, 2022

The 2TB Flash Drive Scam: Why “High-Capacity” Flash Drives Are Fakes

You’re browsing Amazon or eBay, and you see a great deal: A 2-terabyte (TB) USB thumb drive for about $40. Is it a great bargain — or a dangerous scam? If you’ve read the headline of this article, you know...
March 29, 2022