The New York-based Human Rights Foundation collaborated with Forum 280 and USB Memory Direct to launch the "Flash Drives for Freedom" program.[80][81] The program was created in 2016 to smuggle flash drives with American and South Korean movies and television shows, as well as a copy of the Korean Wikipedia, into North Korea to spread pro-Western sentiment.[82][83]
Original flash memory designs had very limited estimated lifetimes. The failure mechanism for flash memory cells is analogous to a metal fatigue mode; the device fails by refusing to write new data to specific cells that have been subject to many read-write cycles over the device's lifetime. Premature failure of a "live USB" could be circumvented by using a flash drive with a write-lock switch as a WORM device, identical to a live CD. Originally, this potential failure mode limited the use of "live USB" system to special-purpose applications or temporary tasks, such as:
Flash drives can be defragmented. There is a widespread opinion that defragmenting brings little advantage (as there is no mechanical head that moves from fragment to fragment), and that defragmenting shortens the life of the drive by making many unnecessary writes.[37] However, some sources claim[38] that defragmenting a flash drive can improve performance (mostly due to improved caching of the clustered data), and the additional wear on flash drives may not be significant.
Anyone who has accidentally left their flash drive in their pants pockets through a laundry cycle will appreciate the durability of this Samsung drive. Its durable metal casing is waterproof, shockproof, magnetproof, and resistant to high temperatures. The drive is housed inside the metal casing, so it won’t break off (and the keyring is made with the same quality casing, again helping your drive live longer). Samsung believes in this drive enough to provide a five-year warranty should anything happen. Durability isn’t its only perk, either. USB 3.0 and NAND technology gives this drive data transfer respectable read speeds of up to 130 MB/s and write speeds over 100 MB/s. It is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0, but expect a drop in transfer speeds.

We offer the most reliable and consistently top performing customizable, no minimum USB flash drives out there. With more than 25 styles and over 550 different looks, our drives are available in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities–with most available in USB 3.0 from 16GB and up. We’re so confident in the quality of our drives, each one includes a lifetime warranty.

These products use flash memory chips, a stable, high-density storage medium, to hold your data. They pack a huge amount of information into a compact form factor. Most thumb drives are less than 2 inches long and easily fit in a pocket, laptop bag or purse. Models with built-in covers protect physical connectors from damage, and select products feature rugged silicon and metal shells that enhance heat and water resistance.

We offer the most reliable and consistently top performing customizable, no minimum USB flash drives out there. With more than 25 styles and over 550 different looks, our drives are available in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities–with most available in USB 3.0 from 16GB and up. We’re so confident in the quality of our drives, each one includes a lifetime warranty.

Features: 100% New&High Quality Storage Capacity: 32GB Support USB version 2.0 and 1.0 Easy plug and play installation Interface: USB 2.0; Due to the inner system and procedure data will occupy some space and the real capacity will reduce lightly Stylish lightweight; portable,new concept modeling,classic fashion,compact Brisk High Speed; plug and play, in line with USB 2.0 specification, data transfer speed. Compatible with Windows 7/Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS 9.0,Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port required for high speed transfer Support solution for Linux kernel version 2.4 or later version Driveless for OS 9X or up Durable solid-state storage No external power is required 4.5V ~ 5.5V from USB port The data read speed: 8M-18M/S（USB2.0） The data write speed: 3M-7M/S（USB2.

The memory in flash drives is commonly engineered with multi-level cell (MLC) based memory that is good for around 3,000-5,000 program-erase cycles,[40] but some flash drives have single-level cell (SLC) based memory that is good for around 100,000 writes. There is virtually no limit to the number of reads from such flash memory, so a well-worn USB drive may be write-protected to help ensure the life of individual cells.
Buoyed by its rocket-like speeds, the Extreme Go lives up to its name by transferring a 4K movie in less than 40 seconds — that's nearly 35 times the speed of a USB 2.0 drive and thanks to USB 3.1 hardware. Beyond its fast operation, the Sandisk looks as good as it performs with a sleek and slim package that's 2.79 x 0.84 x 0.45 inches in size and weighs only 4.8 ounces. The retractable connector makes it easy to store when not in use and it is backward compatible with any USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port. Tucked inside its diminutive profile is a choice of 64GB or 128GB of storage capacity and it comes complete with data storage recovery in the event of an accidental file deletion. 
In addition to providing reliable storage for information, many of these products come with security software that protects your personal data if you lose your device. The software secures files with 128-bit AES encryption and requires a password to unlock the stored information. It also features a drag-and-drop user interface that simplifies transferring and securing your data.