AboutRider Expertise With 20 years experience I can answer almost any question about Intel computers ror build, restore, backup, configure, OS problems, Hardware issures. Setup of hardware components, repair, remove and replace. Trouble shooting hardware/driver issues.
Qwner of DIY Computer Repair and autor of the DIY Computer Repair E-Book
Experience I have been a hardware/os tech for over 20 years, I also own a web site for the do it yourselfer with over 170 articles.
Education/Credentials AAS Electronics Engineering Technology, MCSE, A , HP/IBM/Compaq hardware repair ceritfications
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Is there any USB device, or any other device, that I can insert data into, WITHOUT it never being on the C drive? Or, remaining on the computer in any way?
Thank you Gabe
ANSWER: Are you asking is there a USB device you can have your data on an minpulate it with out copying it to your C: drive?
Yes, a pen/flash drive, an external hard drive, these act as storage other than the primary drive(s) that are in a system.
Any data on the usb device is accesable and you can open, modify, and close them with out copying them to the C: drive.
QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. I meant a device in which the data of say, Turbo Tax, would not appear in the C drive - will not accessable in any way to any hacker.
Is this the right one? and if yes, could you please specify one or two?
Thank you, Gabe
Answer You have two choices: Encrypt your data or put it on an external device. Be aware that if you are using the program and have internet access that a hacker can access the data when you are working on it.
I do not adivise using Encryption unless you understand the emplications it imposes on you the user. If you decide on using Encryption I suggest you study the topic very well, a lost password means lost data.
Using an external device:
Here is how I would setup my Turbo Tax, remember if you use a pen drive you should back up your files to another device also, a floppy or burn it to CD.
Normally when you install a program it installs to C: drive, for Windows, then under Progam files\Quicken\Turbo Tax (haven't done it yet this year and this system doesn't have it installed from last year so this is a guess).
Now you have to understand that if you change your computer and do it this way it will not work next year. (That is you reinstall the Operating System for any reason).
Connect your usb device (Flash drive, externa hard drive, etc.)insure it has the capactity to install the TT progam on (The version I have bought is TT Premier) from 265 to 355 meg of space on the device.
When you do the install select 'Custom' or what ever Quicken uses to chose different options, one of the options will be the path of the progam when it is installed, chose your usb device. Once it is completely installed you can remove the device when you are not activly using it.
Be aware that if you click on the Icon when the usb device is not installed your Operating System may delete the short cut to the program, to keep this from happening create a folder on the desk top and move the shortcut to that folder, that way you have to open the folder to click on the short cut.
If you are worried about hackers then you need to protect your data, have a look at these two articles I have written about protecting your computer from hackers/thieves/criminals:
