Do you have a USB Memory Stick (sometimes called a flash drive) that you use or have used to transfer data from PC to PC, make backup copies of data to work on at home, or have used to work on projects at a public kiosk? Or perhaps you have your music files, family photos or other personal data on a stick.

I'll bet that many of us have a USB stick and one or more of the above apply.

Have you every thought about what would happen if you lost your USB Memory Stick and could not find it? Could someone access the data on it that could expose your personal information or business information? The exposure to you or your company could be significant.

I would guess that the majority of us have purchased and are using USB Memory sticks from the local Computer/Electronics, Office Supply or Retail store. These USB Memory Sticks rarely if at all come with any security software. So while it may not seem important to the manufacturer it should be important to you. What are the options to secure a USB Memory Stick?

Some USB Memory Stick security options are:

Password software - requires a user generated password to access the memory stick. Once accessed files are not encrypted. But is a good base deterrent. Great thing about this is you can use it on any, even your existing USB Memory Stick and it is very cost effective. Securestix works very well on any Windows OS.

File Level Password and Encryption - provides encryption at the file level but does not block access to the USB Memory Stick. Safehouse Software has a Professional, Personal and even a free version available for any Windows OS.

USB Memory Stick w/Password/Encryption software - provides an all in one solution like those from Lexar to secure data on a USB Memory Stick.

While the most secure option is not to lose your USB Memory Stick (and don't say you never will), at least you have some options you can implement to prepare just in case you do happen to lose your USB Memory Stick.