Jun 25 2009
Safety tips on Securing your USB Drives from spreading viruses
Today, Removable drives or the USB drives are one of the most simple and efficient way of data transfer. But as always said the simplicity increases the risk factor so as happened to these removable drives. With being very flexible it has become a very simple ride for viruses to spread. As it is very for the Viruses or Trojans to copy their traces to these removable drives.
Now what to do to avoid such traces:
- For viruses, Auto Play application is a very convenient way to spread their traces as when we attached or insert any USB media an auto play automatically starts, searching all the files on the media hence the virus files also executes leaving the traces. Now to avoid auto play simply press and hold the Shift Key for 5 to 10 seconds it will disable the Autorun.
- Never try to open any removable media using Double clicking the mouse button as it will cause to open the Autorun file on the media if exists. This file is usually created by the infected viruses. If any such file you find delete it immediately.
- There may be the chances that some files could be hidden and thus remains unnoticed to make them visible enable the Show Hidden Files (Tools - Folder Options) and delete such files.
- If you find any file locked or can’t delete any file then should use specific programs like Unlocker to delete such files.
Though these are the simple steps but you should use an effective Antivirus ans very occasionally check your drive for any Virus or Trojans.
