What type of storage do USB flash drives exemplify?

USB flash drives are classified as secondary portable storage devices. This is because they provide a means of saving and retrieving data that is not the primary storage, which typically refers to the internal hard drive or SSD of a computer. Secondary storage is designed to hold data persistently, allowing it to be retained even when the device is powered off.

Flash drives are portable, meaning they can easily be removed and transported between different devices, making them convenient for data transfer. Unlike temporary storage, which is typically used for data that is actively being processed and is lost when the device is turned off, USB flash drives retain data until they are intentionally erased or formatted. This permanence contributes to their classification as secondary storage rather than main storage, which refers to the primary internal storage system of a computer that holds operating systems and applications required for immediate access and use.

In contrast to cloud storage, which relies on internet connectivity to access data stored on remote servers, USB flash drives work independently of internet connections. Therefore, they stand out as an efficient means of portable data storage.