Volatile memory or volatile storage, contrary to non-volatile memory, is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents while powered, but when power is interrupted stored data is immediately lost.
Volatile memory has several uses, for example as a RAM drive. In addition to usually being faster than forms of mass storage such as a hard drive, volatility can protect sensitive information, which becomes unavailable on power-down, and is vulnerable to malicious access only while powered.