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Volatile memory
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<p>Volatile memory, in contrast to <a href="/facts/Non-volatile_memory/EN72wMD9">non-volatile memory</a>, is <a href="/facts/Computer_memory/hQKVQ51J">computer memory</a> that requires <a href="/facts/Electrical_power/w61ID9yQ">power</a> to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly lost. </p><p>Volatile memory has several uses including as <a href="/facts/Primary_storage/wPHKFpdx">primary storage</a>. In addition to usually being faster than forms of <a href="/facts/Mass_storage/p4DHVtbY">mass storage</a> such as a <a href="/facts/Hard_disk_drive/kekLSGSE">hard disk drive</a>, volatility can protect sensitive information, as it becomes unavailable on power-down. Most general-purpose <a href="/facts/Random-access_memory/DuD4bxh6">random-access memory</a> (RAM) is volatile. </p>