We've all been there. You plug something into your computer, wait for the ba-donk sound (on Windows, at least), and start navigating your flash drive / listening to your headphones / using whatever else it is you plugged in to your computer.

Sometimes, that doesn't quite happen. What gives?

We hate to break it to you, but the traditional USB ports you've been using to connect your cameras, controllers and other gizmos for the past 20 years aren't long for this world. The whole squad's getting replaced by a few great alternatives, though they each come with their own pros and cons. If you're thinking of upgrading your devices this year, here are the ports you'll need to get familiar with to keep up with today's tech.

The USB Killer is infamous (but ingenious). Plug it in, and within seconds your computer is dead, motherboard fried thanks to a high voltage dose of electricity, along with any other nearby components. This video shows you how it works, but the takeaway is clear: Never connect random USB devices to your computer.

We've all lost a flash drive or two. Whether it was a cheap USB drive containing some promotional material, or a top secret one detailing the security protocol pertaining to a certain Queen of England's travel plans, sometimes we forget things, and have to hope that our sensitive information doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Securing your hardware by encrypting your flash drive beforehand will prevent unauthorised individuals from getting into your misplaced media. It won't get your flash drive back any faster, but you'll know that you and your data aren't in danger while your USB is at large.

Many businesses invest heavily in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) systems that prevent users from intentionally or accidentally leaking sensitive data. But a recent incident at Heathrow Airport highlights the challenges. An unencrypted USB stick containing security arrangements from the queen and other information was found on a street by a man in West London.

Just when you thought you could chitchat with authority about USB standards at your next dinner party, a new one comes along to shake everything up again. The latest USB 3.2 standard is going to be confirmed in September, and here's what that means for your laptop, your phone, and those new USB-C cables you just went out and bought.

Don't let their appearance fool you: these Toy Block USB Drives combine all the charm of your favorite childhood building blocks with the handiness of a portable hard drive for working adults.

It is the most common way in the world to connect an external device to your computer, and now Australian research shows the humble USB is actually super vulnerable to information "leakage" - making them far less secure than we thought.

I admit, I get a wee bit frustrated when trying to remember which cord goes in which slot for all my tech items. If you're nodding your head in jaded agreement, here's what to do about it.

If you've been wondering when USB Type-C will take over the world, look around you -- its slow and inexorable march is continuing. The latest update to the standard, dubbed USB 3.2, doubles the existing 10Gbps speed of USB 3.1, on the same cables. Here's everything you need to know.

A little after Apple launched its new MacBook Pro, it also cut the price on its USB-C cables and adaptors since the switch to the new technology meant that most people needed to buy a goofy amount of dongles and converters. Today, that sale ends.

Most of us know the drill of getting an antivirus program up and running or relying on the built-in security protections that come with our computers, but there are some less well-known threats that it's important to look out for too. Here's how to stay safe.

Ever stick your charging cable into your device, only to realize you’ve tried jamming it in the wrong way? That issue’s not a problem with the MicFlip Fully Reversible Micro USB Cable.

USB-Type C (or USB-C) ports are catching on fast with phones and laptops. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 technology promises faster charging of batteries, and in some cases even use USB-C connectors. What should you buy?

Earlier this week, the Victorian Police issued an alert about malware-laden USB thumb drives being found in residents' mailboxes. The idea of distributing malware through USB sticks isn't new and yet research has found that many people would plug in a USB drive that they find in a public place. This kind of attack is known to be used by attackers to gain access into corporate networks by luring careless employees into plugging in booby-trapped USB sticks in their work computers. More education is needed to warn end-users about the dangers of USB sticks found in public spaces.

If you want to do a clean install of macOS Sierra, or you have multiple Macs to install it on, then a bootable flash drive is your best bet. Here's how to make one.

Sounds like something out of a spy movie but a USB stick that essentially fries unprotected computers, aptly named USB Kill 2.0, is now publicly available. Read on to find out more.

Video: Have an old USB keyboard you love, but wish was wireless? DIYer DastardlyLabs shows off how to make your own little adaptor that will convert just about any old USB keyboard to Bluetooth.

Most of your digital files are probably stored up in the cloud these days, but the humble USB stick still comes in handy every now and then. It's a simple way of getting data from one computer to another or just keeping a backup of important files. If you're struggling to cram all your files onto one USB drive, here's a quick trick that can free up several gigabytes of extra room.