# User Data

* User data can be used to **perform common automated configuration tasks** and even **run scripts** after the instance start&#x73;**.**<br>
* In computing, a **bootstrap loader is the first piece of code that runs when a machine starts**.<br>
* It is **not very secure** as anyone who has access to the operating system can have access to the User Data, so you **shouldn't use it for storing anything sensitive** or personal, like passwords.