What encryption algorithm provides the greatest protection for data on USB drives?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is widely recognized for providing the greatest protection for data on USB drives due to its strong security features and efficiency. AES is a symmetric key encryption algorithm that supports key lengths of 128, 192, and 256 bits, making it highly resistant to brute-force attacks. Its design allows for high levels of security while maintaining performance, which is essential for portable devices like USB drives that may be used in different environments.

In contrast, other encryption algorithms like DES and 3DES, while historically significant, are considered less secure due to their shorter key lengths. DES uses a 56-bit key, making it vulnerable to modern computing power. Though 3DES improves on DES by using a key that can effectively be 112 or 168 bits, it is still slower and less efficient than AES.

RC4, while fast and easy to implement, has been found to have several vulnerabilities, making it less secure for protecting sensitive data. As a result, AES remains the preferred choice for secure data encryption on USB drives, providing a robust combination of security and performance.