Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention includes a portable 
flash memory drive with a simplified mechanism, based upon the resilient properties of the material used to create the parts, for reliable extension and retraction of the device'
s interface plug. The portable 
flash memory drive is comprised of a 
metal housing (or case), a 
printed circuit board (PCB) 
assembly, PCB support, PCB 
assembly end cap, an upper, and lower housing, and in some embodiments a 
fingerprint sensor and / or key ring 
assembly. The press / 
push switch mechanism is located on either the side of the portable 
flash memory device, or the top; and relies upon the resilient properties of the material used to create the 
metal housing or end cap, to create a smooth, 
locking mechanism for the extension or retraction of the interface (i.e., 
USB or firewire) plug. The switching / 
locking mechanism relies upon grooves or notches within the material of the upper and / or lower housing for tracking and locking, coupled with protrusion tabs on the sliding components of the end cap or 
metal housing. Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present invention, a 
fingerprint sensor is also extended or retracted contemporaneously with the interface plug, and allows the 
end user to secure and unlock the data contained, in whole or in part, therein.