As flash memory grows larger and more affordable, the challenge of protecting bigger and more complex data sets becomes more urgent. Nexcopy continues to address that challenge with steady improvements to its CopySecure platform, and now announces version updates designed to make content protection easier and more effective.
For further details on the software and how it works, Nexcopy provides a dedicated resource about CopySecure and the concept of USB copy protection.
Data security across the internet is already one of the most volatile and fast-changing fields. Bug exploits, malicious code, and countless data-stealing programs have pushed some organizations to remove sensitive systems from the web entirely. But a new hardware-level threat shows that even isolated networks are not immune to attack.
A recently identified malware sample called USB Thief was uncovered by researchers at the ESET security firm. Unlike traditional malware, USB Thief is completely USB-based. It spreads only when infected flash drives are inserted into computers, meaning no internet connection is required for compromise.
This Trojan is especially dangerous for air-gapped systems—networks intentionally kept offline to minimize exposure. That category includes financial exchanges, military installations, and industrial control systems. According to ESET, the malware’s most troubling feature is its ability to evade detection and resist reverse engineering. The firm has not disclosed the exact path of discovery, but the details show a high degree of sophistication.
USB Thief executes by attaching itself as a plugin or dynamically linked library (.dll) into the command chain of common USB applications. Each time the application launches, the malware runs invisibly in the background. It can steal documents, images, registry trees, and other data—all while leaving no footprint on the host machine since it resides exclusively on the USB device itself.
The most practical defense for organizations handling secure content is to use encrypted and write-protected drives. Write protection at the hardware level prevents any modification of trusted content and blocks the insertion of malicious libraries or executables. This approach is especially valuable for institutions distributing data across large user groups while maintaining control over integrity.
Nexcopy offers hardware-based copy-protected and write-protected USB drives, already deployed by global aircraft manufacturers, energy companies, and even emergency response training facilities. These tools ensure sensitive content can be distributed safely, while duplication hardware such as USB duplicators streamlines secure media distribution at scale.
To learn more about these protective measures and Nexcopy’s line of secure duplication hardware, visit their site: USB Copy Protection.
Branding products is nothing new in the marketing world, but Nexcopy has made it easier than ever to apply branding to one of the most versatile technologies in use today—the USB flash drive. With the new USB7P full-color inkjet printer, businesses can bring their logos, designs, or promotional images directly to life on the surface of USB devices. This solution gives resellers and end-users a practical way to enhance product value and make drives more engaging as giveaways, sales tools, or branded storage solutions.
Check out the demonstration video highlighting the product’s features and benefits:
For more information about customizing this video for the reseller channel, please contact Nexcopy directly. Their team can provide guidance on how to incorporate the printer into your product offerings or marketing strategy.
Source: Nexcopy Inc.
For additional USB-related news and insights, make sure to visit GetUSB.info.
Toshiba announced this morning of mass production in 128Gbit NAND flash memory with three-bits-per-cell storage in 19nm process.
What this means is more storage space in a smaller area. The 128Gbit memory is only 170mm square.
The reduced size implies cost of manufacturing will go down, efficiency will go up. The down side is the TLC or three bit per cell, is less stable then two bits per cell like MLC or multi layer cell technology.
This isn’t a big concern for most users as the TLC flash will go into less important devices like USB flashdrives, MP3 players, phones and other hand held devices.
The more crucial technologies will remain with SLC or single layer cell or MLC, multi layer cell memory.
Toshiba and SanDisk share research and development and jointly invest in manufacturing.
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This means the chip will provide more USB 3.0 ports to a motherboard, PCI card or embedded system applications. In addition the new controller reduces it’s power consumption and increases performance.
Renesas claims a 40% increase with this new controller, and I hate to say it, but that is a big jump from previous controllers – so I’m not totally convinced. So it’ll need to be one of those “guilty until proven innocent” situations.
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USB hard drives have carved out a permanent role in everyday computing because of their balance of versatility, portability, and cost. They let users expand storage on the fly, create reliable backups, or move large files between machines without relying on cloud connectivity.
The USB Duplicator line from Nexcopy answers that question. Using SuperSpeed USB 3.0, the USB160PC can move 1GB of data to all sockets in less than a minute. On paper, a 100GB master takes about 1.5 hours to finish across 16 drives. In reality, that’s 1.6TB of data written in under two hours. It’s a reminder that while USB is serial by design, Nexcopy’s platform makes throughput add up quickly across multiple ports.
Portability: USB drives and portable HDDs are light, compact, and suited for field work or remote teams. Having an in-house duplicator lets IT departments roll out preloaded media in hours, not days.
Plug-and-Play: No extra power bricks or exotic drivers. Devices attach, enumerate, and run. The duplicator mirrors that same simplicity in its workflow.
Capacity: From a few gigs to multiple terabytes, USB has become the neutral storage format that works in nearly every environment. Whether it’s software distribution or media publishing, there’s a capacity tier to match.
Compatibility: USB crosses platforms—Windows, Mac, Linux, consoles, TVs. One duplicated set of drives reaches a wide user base without rework.
The USB160PC is Nexcopy’s first SuperSpeed-class duplicator. By pushing 1GB per target per minute, it trims deployment time dramatically for promotional agencies, field service providers, and corporate IT shops handling large rollouts.
Price erosion in USB 3.0 media has only increased the appeal. As NAND costs dropped and controller tech matured, higher-capacity drives became cheaper to source. Manufacturers optimized supply chains, making bulk duplication not only possible but cost-effective. For businesses, that combination—cheap media plus fast duplication hardware—translates directly to lower per-unit cost and faster time to deployment.
With USB drives continuing to dominate as portable storage, the case for proper management gear is stronger than ever. The Nexcopy USB160PC sits squarely in that space, giving organizations a way to control content distribution, speed up workflows, and cut operating costs.
So here is a bit of information one could use for a cocktail conversation starter at your next computer club meeting, the start of flash memory.
The first piece of flash memory was invented way back in 1984. Flash was invented by Toshiba and by a guy named Dr. Fujio Masuoka. According to Toshiba records, the term “flash” was suggested by Dr. Masuoka’s colleague, Mr. Shoji Ariizumi because the erase process of the memory contents reminded him of a flash like in a camera.
Toshiba presented the new invention at the IEEE 1984 Integrated Electronics Devices Meeting in San Jose California and Intel saw the immediate value and jumped on board. By 1988 the first commercial NOR type flash chip was commercially available.
NOR based flash has long erase and write times and has a full address/ data interface. Meaning one can read or write data to any portion of the NOR chip. The NOR technology is mostly used for low levels of read/write cycles. So for example, NOR is great for BIOS and firmware of a device. NOR was the first version of flash, but everyone quickly realized a cheaper, faster solution is also needed.
In 1989 the first NAND flash chip was introduced. It had faster erase and write times, higher density, and lower cost than NOR flash – with ten times the endurance. The draw back with NAND [if you can call it that] is the I/O interface only allowing sequential access to data. Meaning you can only write to the device after the last bit of data has been written. This makes it suitable for mass-storage devices such as PC cards and various memory cards like USB, SD and microSD, and somewhat less useful for computer memory.
As flash memory technology grew quickly in the earily 2000s, the growth enabled the development of USB flash drives to what we more commenly see today: compact, portable devices with unique body shapes, colors, styles and features. The USB flash drive, also known as a thumb drive or pendrive, was first brought to market in 2000 and has since grown into an inexpe nsive gadget nearly every computer owner has.
The invention is commonly attributed to an Israeli company, M-Systems, founded by Dov Moran. Along with engineers Amir Ban and Oron Ogdan, M-Systems filed the patent for the USB-based flash storage device in April 1999. Their product, known as the “DiskOnKey,” became the first commercially available USB flash drive.
At about the same time a Singapore-based Trek 2000 International launched its version of a USB flash drive, called the “ThumbDrive,” also in 2000. The company, led by Henn Tan, claimed independent invention and holds several patents related to its design.
One final player in the discussion about “where did flash memory start” is Pua Khein-Seng of Phison Electronics in Taiwan who is credited with creating the first single-chip USB flash controller, which dramatically reduced the cost and size of flash drives, helping pave the way for mass adoption.
Today, USB flash drives are ubiquitous and owe their success to the rapid advancement of NAND flash and the global contributions from innovators in Israel, Singapore, and Taiwan.
3 bit-per-cell NAND is sampled out the manufacturers. The 3 bit per cell is exactly that, 3 bits of information are stored in each NAND cell. This increased the capacity while keeping the foot print the same size. This ultimately leads to larger storage capacity at a cheaper price. Traditionally, SLC [Single Layer Cell] and MLC [Multi Layer Cell] technology is used is USB and SD flash, but we will begin to see TLC [Triple Layer Cell or 3 bit per cell] technology have a full roll-out by the end of this year.
Over the past 18 months the biggest problem with TLC is the stability of the memory and performance, but Intel and Micron feel they overcame those problems and ready for production. More with their press release:
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