How clean is my USB stick? Is probably not a question a lot of people ask themselves, but the global pandemic has put a new focus on keeping everything clean. As a result, we’re getting USB drives that automatically kill bacteria.
Storage media company Verbatim has partnered with Microban to create a range of antimicrobial USB drives. Antimicrobial technology is a combination of antibacterial and antifungal properties to create a substance capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
By adding Microban’s antimicrobial tech to the outer casing of a USB drive, any bacteria transferred through touch won’t be able to grow. This is a permanent protection that should last the lifetime of the drive and works without any input from the user. I’d still recommend cleaning your drives once in a while, though.
Matthew Toms, Product Manager of Flash Memory Products at Verbatim, points to schools and offices as where an antimicrobial drive would be of most use for keeping bacteria to a minimum while offering “customers that extra peace of mind.”
No antimicrobial USB drives have been announced yet, with Microban’s Verbatim page stating “we are working hard to make this product available to you as soon as possible.” However, that same page also lists Verbatim’s Pinstripe, Store ‘n’ Go, and V3 USB drives, so it may end up being the case that all future Verbatim USB drives include Microban protection.
