Viruses!!!

[calduf]

Hi, does anyone know how to open a USB drive without catching it's viruses? I'm sure this must be possible, but when I get my new pc I don't want to get it killed by viruses on the first day! Also just as a side question to opening a USB safely, any recommendations on getting rid of viruses on the actual pc / antivirus programs. Thanks

 

[Wozza63]

when you plug it in, it shouldnt give you any viruses as long as you dont open anything, then scan it with antivirus

I personally believe in either AVG Free or Avast Free along with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and possibly Spybot S&D doing a scan on these will get rid of anything and everything

 

[calduf]

I've heard a lot about things that auto run stuff though... What about that? :S

 

[Wozza63]

i highly doubt it, as long as you havent installed anything on it, and the antivirus will stop it if a program from the memory stick tries to attack

 

[calduf]

Ok thanks

 

[vanthus]

Microsoft has removed the USB autorun.inf feature from Windows 7. for exactly this reason.
This means that when you insert the USB drive, the programs will not automatically start up,
although the auto play window will open,just close it.
You can then right click on the drive in computer and select scan with whatever antivirus program you have installed.
Be aware this is not the case with vista or xp,whether you open it or not a virus can still get through via the autorun.inf,which is not the same thing as autoplay..

 

[Dave]

To stop infection from a pen drive you want to wipe, Download a bootable version of Linux. Boot from the CD and format the pen drive.