USB Flash Drives, also called thumb drives, are convenient devices useful for a variety of purposes, but mostly to share, backup or archive files. Flash drives work well for just about any type of file: document, music, photo, video, presentation and more.

The typical USB flash drive consists of solid state read/write memory, known as flash memory, integrated with a USB connector and interface electronics. Flash drives come in capacities ranging from 1GB or less to 256GB and are housed in a variety of shapes and configurations. The most common shape is rectangular and about the size of a thumb, although some fun configurations are built into small statues of animals or cartoon characters, including a Star Wars set of characters.

The Verbatim Micro "TUFF ‘N’ TINY" USB Drive (www.verbatim.com $19.99+) is a cool example of a tiny configuration (1.9 x 0.5 x 0.06 inches). This flash drive has encapsulated electronics and a rugged shell incorporating a full-sized USB connector. It’s water and dust resistant and available in 2GB, 4GB or 8GB capacities that can fit or can be hidden anywhere. This amazingly tiny device comes with a small lanyard to help keep track of its whereabouts. These Verbatim flash drives also come pre-loaded with security password software to prevent unauthorized access to your files. The software can be configured to password protect a file, a folder or not used at all.

The Kanguru Biometric USB Flash Drive (www.kanguru.com $99.99+) takes security a serious step further by incorporating a fingerprint reader on the flash drive itself. The drive will recognize up to 10 fingerprints; as an additional measure of security, once a fingerprint is recognized, you must enter a password unique to that fingerprint, and only then can you get access to the files. Available in 4GB or 8GB capacities.

An example of useful packaging for a USB flash drive is the Victorinox Presentation Master Flash (www.victorinox.com), which packs up to a 16GB USB flash drive in the familiar Swiss Army Knife case, along with a knife, screw driver, nail file, scissors and a laser light pointer. The laser is built into the case, but the flash drive can be detached from the Swiss Army Knife case to use with a computer. You can also leave the flash drive in the case and use the drive’s built-in Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to the computer. There’s more: the detachable flash drive also incorporates a fingerprint scanner for increased security of your files. If you need to take your "presentation pack" on an airplane, Victorinox make a flight-friendly version from which the knife and scissors have been removed.

Many other types of flash drives are available, and all offer a convenient, portable and easy way to save, store and share files.