Thumb drives are handy little storage devices. They transport documents, picture files and the like with aplomb. But they also can be used to run programs. This portability allows you to use programs on a computer that doesn't have them installed. For example, you may love using Mozilla Firefox at home, but your office's computer policies forbid installing it. You can get around the problem by running Firefox at work from a thumb drive.

Portable programs also allow you to surf without leaving too many tracks. This is useful on a public computer, such as at a hotel or library.