| All computers have at least one hard drive where | | | | letter. The user can then access the external hard |
| data is stored. Usually, these are located internally but | | | | device like the usual internal drive. |
| as computers have evolved external hard drives are | | | | Because of its high storage capacity and portability, |
| becoming a part of computers. They are actually an | | | | large sized files can easily be transferred to and from |
| external storage space where sensitive data can be | | | | the office and home with the portable external hard |
| kept in a safe and protected environment and they | | | | drive simply by plugging in the interface cable. Data |
| are basically used as backup drives. | | | | can be transferred from the personal computer to |
| Spyware, Trojans and viruses all pose security | | | | the laptop and vice versa. Thus, if it is office work |
| threats to the data when the computer is accessing | | | | which needs to be carried home, a working |
| the internet. Also, since computers are often used by | | | | environment can be recreated by just the |
| multiple members of the family, chances of any | | | | plug-and-play external hard drive or the user's |
| sensitive files getting corrupted or lost are high. | | | | favorite programs can be easily carried to and from |
| Multimedia has become a part and parcel of any | | | | any place to the other. |
| computer software and that takes up a lot of drive | | | | If many family members are using the same |
| space. A portable external hard drive can take care | | | | computer, a portable external hard drive comes in |
| of all these requirements. External drives have their | | | | useful for storing sensitive data separately from the |
| own enclosure case outside the computer and the | | | | computer's internal drive. Any document or file which |
| case is portable though a little larger than the hard | | | | is deemed to be too important to get inadvertently |
| drive it contains. | | | | corrupted or lost will be better off in the safety of |
| The external drive is connected to the computer | | | | an external drive. All data and programs can be |
| with a high-speed interface cable; fire wire and USB | | | | accessed by plugging in the external drive and then |
| are the most common interface cables used. This | | | | unplugging it and keeping it away after the work is |
| cable is used to pass data to and from the external | | | | done. |
| drive to the computer. The external hard drive can | | | | Using a portable external drive has many advantages |
| be operated as a plug-and-play device. A USB or | | | | and for security of data it is most advisable to |
| Firewire compatible computer can recognize the | | | | connect one to your computer. |
| external drive as a storage space by giving it a drive | | | | |