Data Hung Out To Dry: 9,000 USBs Left in Dry Cleaners

[ronjor]

{QUOTE-> Data leakage and data loss is at an all time high. USBs, or memory sticks, which are now used to download and transport large amounts of sensitive data, may be largely to blame. A recent survey by Texas-based data security Relevant Products/Services experts Credant Technologies found that, in the last year, 9,000 USB sticks have been forgotten in pockets when people take their clothes to the local dry cleaners. <-QUOTE}Story (http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=65474)

[PILMAN]

I accidently ran a memory stick through my washing machine, I didn't even know and it still works. I also have waterproof ones though the one I washed wasn't water proof.

[LockBox]

They're basically all waterproof. There are no movable parts and once dry, they almost always work fine. I think it was MaximumPC that did a test of 20 USB flash drives and they all worked (after drying) after being put through the washer.