We’ve all seen the frightening warning icon that pops up on an iPod when you plug it into your computer. It warns that if you disconnect it, something awful will happen. So, just how dangerous is it to unplug a USB device without properly “ejecting” it first?

Although practically anyone will tell you that you should always properly eject the device, most of us have simply unplugged a USB device without causing any damage. So, just what are the risks?

One of two things may happen if you remove the device before ejecting it:

  1. Nothing. Your data will remain undamaged and you will cause no harm to the USB device or to the computer
  2. The device can become corrupted, along with all its contents. This is sometimes reparable, but can be incredibly frustrating nonetheless

Although many people can just unplug their devices without inflicting any damage, it is still best to eject it first to avoid the inconvenience of lost data that is always a possible consequence.

For a guide to quickly and easily ejecting your gadgets check out this article.