Keep Windows Safe from USB Drive Virus Attack

USB flash drive is useful because it provides a convenient way for you to bring your data around. However, due to its convenience, it is also a target for viruses and other malware to spread across computers and networks.

protect your system from USB drive virus attack



To effectively prevent the virus in the USB drive from attacking the computer, the best way is to disable the “autorun” feature so virus don’t get activated in the first place. (The virus usually hide itself in the “autorun.inf” file in the USB drive so that it is activated the moment you inserted your USB drive.)

To disable the autorun feature of removable devices, use the following registry fix:

1. Go to Run -> regedit. This will open the Registry Editor.

2. If you want to disable autorun for all users, go to the following key:


HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer




If you want to disable autorun for only one user, go to the following key:


HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer




3. Create a new Hex value with the name: NoDriveTypeAutoRun

4. Change the value of the created key to: 4 (HEX)

5. Restart Windows Explorer. This will disable auto run feature for all removable drives.

If you are not adventurous enough to edit the registry, the following tools can monitor the USB ports for USB drive insertion and disable the device until you take additional action to activate it. Some of the tools will be able to detect and disinfect the USB drives from viruses too.