Flash drives are primarily valued for their portability - necessary information always with you, you can view it on any computer. But there is no guarantee that one of these computers will not turn out to be a breeding ground for malware. The presence of viruses on a removable drive always brings unpleasant consequences and inconvenience. How to protect your storage medium, we will consider further.
There can be several approaches to protective measures: some are more complicated, others are simpler. In this case, they can be used third party programs or Windows tools. The following measures may be helpful:
- antivirus settings for automatic scanning flash drives;
- disable autorun;
- use of special utilities;
- usage command line;
- autorun.inf protection.
Remember that sometimes it is better to spend a little time on preventive actions than to face infection not only of the flash drive, but of the entire system.
Method 1: Configuring the antivirus
It is precisely because of the neglect of anti-virus protection that malware is actively spreading across various devices. However, it is important not only to have an antivirus installed, but also to correct settings to automatically scan and clean the connected flash drive. This way you can prevent the virus from copying to your PC.
Method 2: Disabling AutoPlay
Many viruses are copied to the PC thanks to the file "autorun.inf", where the launch of the executable is registered malicious file. To prevent this from happening, you can disable automatic media startup.
This procedure is best done after the flash drive has been checked for viruses. This is done as follows:
This method is not always convenient, especially when using CDs with a branched menu.
Method 3: Panda USB Vaccine
In order to protect flash drives from viruses, they were created special utilities. One of the best is Panda USB Vaccine. This program also disables AutoRun so that malware cannot use it for its work.
To use this program, do the following:
Method 4: Using the command line
Create "autorun.inf" with protection against changes and overwriting is possible by applying several commands. It's about here's what:
Note that not all media types will benefit from disabling AutoRun. This applies, for example, bootable flash drives, Live USB etc. Read about creating such media in our instructions.
Method 5: Protect "autorun.inf"
You can also create a fully protected startup file manually. Previously, it was enough to simply create on a flash drive empty file "autorun.inf" with rights "only for reading", but according to many users, this method is no longer effective - viruses have learned to bypass it. Therefore, we use a more advanced version. This includes the following actions:
These commands delete files and folders "auto run", "recycler" and "recycled", which may already "capitalized" virus. Then created hidden folder "Autorun.inf" with all protective attributes. Now the virus will not be able to change the file "autorun.inf", because there will be a whole folder instead.
This file can be copied and run on other flash drives, thus carrying out a kind of "vaccination". But remember that on drives that use AutoRun capabilities, such manipulations are highly discouraged.
The main principle of protective measures is to prohibit viruses from using autorun. This can be done either manually or with special programs. But you should not forget about periodically checking the drive for viruses. After all, malware is not always launched through AutoRun - some of them are stored in files and are waiting in the wings.
antivirus for flash drive- a necessary thing, since today almost everyone has a flash drive.
Often, flash drives store important data for us: term papers, diplomas, reports, photos, and so on. And hitting a flash device with viruses does not bode well. Just imagine that one small virus deleted your quarterly report, on which you worked all night, or your flash drive stopped opening at all ...
Few people know that the familiar flash drive is the second largest distributor computer viruses, after the internet!
For example: you stayed with a friend and dropped an interesting movie from him in between. Come home, connect your flash drive to your computer, and the virus starts to walk around your system, infecting everything around, and then you think: why is the computer stupid or where have important documents gone.
Antivirus for a flash drive is an important attribute of your drive
On the usb drive itself, the virus is not active and, as a result, is practically invisible. At
copying an infected file (the same movie), not every antivirus will detect this "villain", and then it will be too late ...
An antivirus for a flash drive will help to avoid such bitter consideration. One of the best programs in this segment is .
This product is installed directly on a flash drive and protects it from viruses from an infected computer.
Installation
Let's take a closer look at the installation of this utility.
We connect the flash device to the USB port of the computer. We start the installation of trustport usb antivirus. In the first window, select the language convenient for us (1):
We press the "Install" button and the antivirus for the flash drive begins its installation:
After installation, it is worth ticking the box “Launch Trustport tray” (3):
If you did everything correctly, you will see the antivirus for the flash drive minimized to tray (4):
We remove our flash device and connect it back, the flash drive icon changes to a green heart (5):
This means that our flesh drive is reliably protected from insidious viruses. If we go to it, we will see installed files the antivirus itself (6):
launch
The program automatically starts when you connect your flash drive to your computer, you can see it by the tray icon (4). If this does not happen, then go to the USB flash drive and open the program launch shortcut (7). In rare cases, trustport usb antivirus may conflict with the computer's main antivirus. If this happens, temporarily disable main antivirus- should help :-).
That's all, the antivirus for the flash drive is installed and your usb device is protected.
PS: If more serious protection is required, you can also install .
USB Disk Security- this is free app to provide full protection from all kinds of malicious programs distributed through removable USB carriers. The application works with external hard drives, memory cards, digital cameras, flash media, as well as with other devices that can be connected via a USB connector. At the core Disk work Security lies a special threat search technology; as an anti-virus program, the utility is able to work in stealth mode, only letting you know about its existence only if malware is detected.
Basically, a personal computer is infected with viruses at the time of use. global network Internet, a little less often this happens during the installation of a dubious or unverified program. An infected file can also penetrate a PC through the most common flash media.
When an infected flash drive is connected to a personal computer, the malware software penetrates into HDD, and most importantly, it happens so quickly that the installed anti-virus programs do not always have time to react in time. Especially for such cases, it is necessary to use programs that can easily cope with this type of threat. Today, Disk Security is one of the best programs for protecting against infected files distributed via USB drives.
If viruses are detected, the application, depending on the settings, will remove or block them, thereby preventing them from automatically launching. In addition, the utility is able to restore the system after it has been infected with malware, clean the hard drive from temporary files, prohibit copying files from the computer's hard drive, checking URLs, full blocking of USB ports, autoload control, forced scanning hard disks.
The program is equipped with a convenient and simple user interface. Russian-language interface. The control panel is located on the left side of the working window, consisting of seven main items. Worthy of special attention following sections: data protection, scanning and USB shield.
The last section is responsible for displaying a full report on all detected threats. You also need to take into account that the utility by default performs automatic deletion any malicious application. So in order to avoid deletion important documents, it is better to disable this option, for example, after deleting boot file your USB drive will not be able to start. After disabling, Disk Security will act as follows - it will automatically move the infected file to quarantine or simply mark it.
In addition to tools for automatic checking of flash media, the "Scanning" section is equipped with a vaccination function. You can get vaccinated as removable media, and in fact personal computer. At the same time, on a flash drive or on a hard drive, special file, which prevents some malicious applications. Vaccination can be turned off if desired.
The "Data Protection" section is able to provide devices with more high protection, for example, you can set a ban on moving data from a computer to a memory card or generally close access to a PC through USB port. To close access, you will need to restart your computer, only after that the settings will take effect.
Key features of USB Disk Security:
- Performing a more thorough scan external drives. If malware is detected, they are either removed or quarantined.
- Availability of a resident virus scanner, triggered when a new USB drive is connected. Without making changes to the settings, infected files will be automatically deleted.
- If necessary, you can perform complete shutdown auto start on PC.
- When using the utility, it is possible to view content without the risk of infecting a personal computer.
- Websites are checked for infected applications. The following services are used during the check: Trend Micro, McAfee, VirusTotal, Symantec and Google.
- Search service linkzb.com provide an opportunity safe use the Internet.
- The application is able to prevent unauthorized connection USB media to PC.
- Blocking the copying of unauthorized data to USB is performed through the use of the Access Control tool.
- Using the system for cleaning temporary files, if the virus is located in temporary directories, it will be removed immediately.
- You can set a password in the program settings.
- Full control over the applications included in autorun.
- The presence of a built-in system for restoring important directories in the registry that were affected by malware.
- You can download Disk Security for free.
- Runs on Windows XP, 7 and 8.
- Performed automatic check updates.
- The app does not need to be updated virus databases, because it does not work like a standard antivirus program.
- Due to the small volume, the utility can be installed even on a weak personal computer.
- Full compatibility with many modern antivirus programs.
- Using a multi-language interface, a total of 12 languages are available.
USB Disk Security is a simple and effective program to provide complete protection against malware distributed via removable media.
One of the sources of penetration of computer viruses into the operating system are ordinary flash drives. Free program Antirun this is antivirus for flash drives. Utility will protect your computer from infection with malicious code, which may be on a flash card inserted into the USB connector. Antirun controls the connection external USB devices and automatically scans for content viruses in launched objects on USB drives. In addition, the program can safely open and remove a USB device.
Antirun
Autorun viruses this is malware, which penetrate the system through such a vulnerability as standard function operating room Windows systems"Autostart". For usb drives the file to run automatically is a hidden file autorun.inf, which specifies the file to run. If the executable file turns out to be a virus, then without antivirus protection the computer will be immediately infected and will copy the virus to all storage media. The Antirun program disables this autorun feature and checks the flash card files for viruses. If on usb flash turns out to be a virus, Antirun will protect your computer from infection and cure the flash drive from the virus.
Antirun in the system can be installed in conjunction with already installed anti-virus programs on your computer, the program will not conflict with them and will effectively increase the degree of system protection, complementing the work installed antiviruses. At the same time, the system performance will not change, the program consumes very little system resources(uses random access memory about 2 MB).
Simple antivirus
- Notifications about the release of new versions of the program;
- Tray utility icon;
- Russian language;
- Support drug and drop function. To copy information to a USB flash drive, just drag files and folders onto the program dialog form;
- Display information about free and used disk space;
- Double click on open dialogue calls the disk in Explorer, click right click the mouse will minimize the dialog to tray;
- Pleasant design and intuitive user-friendly interface of the program;
Hello everyone, today I want to tell you the method by which a flash drive is protected from viruses by 100%. Well, at the expense of one hundred percent, of course I embellish, but at 99, just protect. Will be described as inline windows methods and with the help of third parties, free utilities, in short, it will be interesting, especially in the light of the latest sensational ransomware viruses, because no one wants to be left without their files and photos.
Flash drive without viruses
And so our task is to have a virus-free flash drive, with its frequent operation and use, on different computers and devices. Let's imagine a situation, Petya has a flash drive, or even a portable device with an ssd disk, what a waste of time. Petya has a lot of software on it, a lot of movies and music. He often visits his friends, since the evil Roskomnadzor blocked torrents 🙂, and everyone began to exchange information in the old fashioned way, thank God that this is just an example 🙂 and all torrents are plowed, well, Vasya had a virus on his computer, which, due to the security of the flash drive, got to Petya, and he dragged him home. If he has an antivirus program, okay, he will catch it, and if not, he will carry it to distribute it to all his friends, good Petya. But if he had a flash drive 100% protected from viruses, then everything would be different, below we will consider this.
Here are examples of errors that you may encounter if you have this virus. The first is Editing the registry is prohibited by the System Administrator
Or Task Manager is disabled by administrator
If you get such errors, check with an antivirus
Methods to protect a flash drive from a virus
Disable the autorun inf file
And so there are viruses that spread from auto start, due to autorun.inf file. The virus creates it on a flash drive with the right parameters. Knowing this information, we will create our own autorun.inf and forbid changing it by blocking access to it, no access, no virus.
And so you should have a flash drive, insert it into the computer. Open command prompt as administrator, I have already described 10 ways to do this, see the link on the left.
My flash drive has the letter D.
In 2011, Microsoft disabled the autorun of flash drives by default due to autorun.inf viruses. To prevent it, we will create a fake directory with this name and give it certain attributes.
In the command prompt window that opens, type in the lines
md d:\autorun.inf
attrib +s +h +r d:\autorun.inf
The first command creates a folder on drive D and the second gives it necessary attributes, such as h, makes it hidden.
Here's what the hidden item will look like when you enable the display of hidden files. If the display is turned off, then you will not see the folders, but you don’t need it, you did it and forgot it.
Everything after these are not complex methods, you protect the flash drive from viruses, auto launches, if you get an error that a file or folder has already been created, then you can see them at the root of your flash drive, before that turning on the display of windows hidden files, and then delete them and re-create.
Protecting a flash drive with Bitdefender USB Immunizer
And so the Bitdefender USB Immunizer utility, from one well-known manufacturer antivirus solutions. The program is completely free and does not require installation, its principle of operation is similar to the method described above, it also creates its own autorun file.inf are installed necessary rights and tracked record malicious code. You can download Bitdefender USB Immunizer (http://labs.bitdefender.com/projects/usb-immunizer/overview/) from the link.
We go to the site and click on the healthy Download button on the right.
Run the utility and click i Accept.
The pro program scans your flash drives and displays them full list, unprotected flash drives will be red.
Click on the flash drive you need and the process of protecting it will begin.
After a couple of seconds, the flash drive will turn green, which will mean its safety.
I advise you to go to the settings and set automatic protection for all usb devices.
As you can see, too great method protection of the flash drive from viruses.
Security with Ninja Pendisk Utility
Continuing further research and computer security and we have the next utility on the way, called Ninja Pendisk. The utility, which is also completely free and does not require installation, from the functionality it can
- scan flash drive for viruses
- auto detection of flash devices
- diagnoses flash media for protection
As soon as you launch the utility, it automatically protects your flash drive from viruses. You can download Ninja Pendisk from the link www.ninjapendisk.com, go to the site and click Download.
After launching Ninja Pendisk, you will see a window prompting you to insert a USB flash drive.
As soon as you insert it, the program will automatically detect it and install protection, it will take about 3 seconds, and at the output you have a secure flash drive.
By setting the necessary rights
So if you do not need a program to protect a flash drive, then there is another method without using it. Its meaning is to put the necessary rights on usb device. You must have a flash drive formatted in the NTFS file system, it has long been included in Windows by default.
And so open start > control panel > folder options
In Windows 7, you can open my computer, press ALT, in top menu select Tools > Folder Options
Go to the View tab and uncheck the checkbox if it's worth using the wizard public access(recommended). We save everything.
Now create on your flash drive a Documents folder for example. Right click on the flash drive and select properties. Go to the Security tab, delete everyone there except for the everyone group, then select it and click edit. You will be placed on the so-called access list or professional ACL. We expose only jackdaws
- Reading and Execution
- List folder contents
- Reading
remove everything else.
Click apply, you will get a warning, click continue.
Now we go to the properties of the folder, also through the right click, the security tab. We delete there, as well as everyone except for the Everyone group, and we put all the daws on it.
Now, store all files in the documents folder and not a single virus can enter your root. When you try to write something, the following error window will pop up at the root of the flash drive.
The virus simply will not have rights, and in this way the flash drive is protected from auto-start viruses like autorun.inf. To return everything back, you can use the usual formatting.
Panda USB Vaccine Utility
If you thought that was all, then you are wrong, there is more. cool program to protect the flash drive called Panda USB Vaccine. Its principle is the same as its predecessors, but there are also advantages such as turning off auto launch flash in the system, although it can be done manually, let's download it, you can do it at research.pandasecurity.com. We start, you will be greeted by the installation wizard.
We agree with the license
We set the checkboxes, as in the picture below
All Panda USB Vaccine is installed, run it. As you can see, she found the flash media and there is a Vaccinate USB button on the right
The protection will start. After that, you will have the status of Vaccinated
To be honest, in my opinion the most the best option, this is the use of the method with rights, for groups, and of course, you must have installed in your system antivirus package, any company you like, which will still insure you, since nothing stands still, including viruses
