Remove Virus From USB Flash Drive Using Command Prompt

                            
Viruses are usually spread across multiple computers using USB Flash drives, external media, connected networks and the Internet. If a USB drive is infected with a virus, it will get activated when we open the USB drive on our computers.

This is because of the auto-run functionality in Windows. Windows looks for autorun.inf file in the USB drive. The autorun.inf file contains information about which program to run when the USB flash drive is opened.

The viruses tend to push their information in the autorun.inf file and then execute automatically from there. The safest way to use the USB flash drives without infecting your own system is to disable the Auto Run functionality of Windows.

To disable Auto Run functionality in Windows, do the following:

1. Go to Run –> gpedit.msc. This will open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> AutoPlay Policies
3. In the right hand pane, enable “Turn off Autoplay” setting.

This will prevent Windows from automatically using autorun.inf file in the USB drive.

If your USB drive is already infected with a virus, you can safely delete the autorun.inf file and then scan the USB drive with an antivirus to make sure that the USB drive is clean from all malware.

Autorun.inf can be deleted in two ways. First by using Windows Explorer:

1. Press Windows Key + E to open Windows Explorer. From the left hand tree, open the USB drive. This should not trigger the auto run functionality of USB.
2. Now from the left hand content pane, delete the autorun.inf file. Make sure that you are showing hidden files from Folder Options as autorun.inf is usually a hidden file.

Secondly, you can also delete the infected autorun file from command line.

1. Go to Run –> cmd. This should open the command prompt.
2. Type g: where g is the USB drive letter.
3. Now run the following command: attrib -h -r -s -a *.*. This will remove the attributes hidden, archive, system from all the files.
4. Type del autorun.inf. This will delete the autorun.inf file.

If you want to make sure that in addition to the autorun file, the virus is also removed from the USB drive, you will need to open the autorun.inf file in notepad and see which files and executables are triggered during autorun. Delete those executables and you will be safe from the wrath of USB viruses.

I hope this will be useful for you. Do let me know whether it was useful for you or not.

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Top 6 Antivirus

                                             
In the digital era we are living in, almost every one is a regular user of the worldwide web either for downloading stuff, checking emails or for just socializing. Subsequently threats like trojans, spyware, malware, worms and key loggers have become common place today which not only attack your personal computer, but also corrupt the Windows operating system leading to a system crash and loss of vital information and data.

Thus to proactively curtail such threats from invading your personal computer, anti-virus software applications have been designed to keep at bay potential threats from sneaking into your computer through downloaded content from the internet.

Also Read: 6 Useful Programs For Windows Everyone Should Have.

Installation of such anti-virus applications in every computer has become indispensable of late to restrict the ever-increasing threats from entering your system which could negatively impact performance of your system and subsequently the dreaded blue screen of death. Listed below are the 6 best antivirus applications of 2014 for Windows operating system.

Best Antivirus Applications Of 2014

1. Kaspersky Antivirus

This is the number 1, state-of-the-art and cutting edge PC security application available in the market today. The rich feature set of this application includes the cutting edge exploit prevention or the “EP” engine which provides outstanding scanning results to its users.

Kaspersky has become sort of household name in the industry with excellent ratings for the afore-mentioned features towards user friendliness and effective all round protection. The application has been received well in the market and has been accredited by leading companies.

Kaspersky Antivirus is one of the most technologically advanced product available in the market today. The software has rightly figured on top of this list and would be the right choice to protect your computer from the ever-increasing threat from malware.

Some of the advantages of using Kaspersky Antivirus are, affordable pricing licensed for single user and 3 users, protects your computer from all external threats, scanning is quite effective and faster, detects and prevents threats, viruses and malware from sneaking into your system, keeps working quietly in the background, comes with a free of cost 30-day virus scan and complete security, and is readily available at all retail and online stores with a license validity of 1 year.

Click here to get Kaspersky Antivirus Today!

2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Another top-notch and industry leading antivirus application is the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which is specifically designed to adapt itself to the specifications of the system and perform security checks in the most optimized way possible.

Technically speaking, 1 of the top internet security suites money can buy, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2014 also offers a host of additional features which all work together to prolong and enhance the life and performance of your Windows operated personal computer. Though the application is loaded with features, it is programmed to kick-start itself and work in the background unobtrusively day in and day out.

Few of the advantages of using the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus are, scanning time taken by the antivirus has been vastly reduced with faster optimum results and complete post scan report generation, incorporates the latest cutting edge technology, “Photon” ensuring complete and effective protection to your personal computer, downloadable free of cost 30-day trial version of the application and purchase of the licensed version valid for 365 days after the trial period is done affording total peace of mind.

Click here to get Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Today!

3. Norton Antivirus Plus

Norton Antivirus Plus is an all time favorite contender for reliable PC security developed by Symantec. Norton Antivirus Plus offers all round protection to your computer from all external threats including viruses and other spyware and malware.

The application is feature dense including advanced proactive vulnerability protection, anti phishing and link scanning capabilities. It is extremely effective in identifying threats and offers round the clock 24×7 protection to your personal computer. The trademark “Norton Antivirus” has become sort of household name reputed for its simplicity and barebones usage of computer resources and has carved a name for itself in the industry.

Symantec is a widely recognized defence software program developer and regularly makes every effort to enhance and upgrade the software application they provide to their clients. The company is one among the few which pays heed to the voice of the customer in the form of feedback to improve its application in terms of effectiveness and user friendliness.

Some of the advantages of using Norton Antivirus Plus 2014 are it restricts internet worms at the point of entry, blocks hackers from accessing sensitive data in your system, operates unobtrusively in the background offering total protection to your system, comes with a 15-day free of cost downloadable trial version and there after purchase of a fully licensed version valid for 360 days.

4. AVG Antivirus

Although AVG Antivirus is a free to use application, it offers a highly effective security platform to your Windows operated system with a user-friendly and easy to navigate interface. The paid version of this antivirus application is highly optimized for the latest Windows operating systems like Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.

Besides the paid version of the software comes with a load of additional features to ramp up the performance level of your personal computer. AVG Antivirus acts as a rapid performance booster of your system, shields your system from hackers and online spammers, it is extremely easy to utilize and operates in the background silently without slowing down your system hogging valuable resources.

AVG Antivirus is available in the form of free and paid versions. The free version works well, but the paid is loaded with additional features at an affordable cost.

Click Here to buy AVG Antivirus 2014!

5. Avast Pro Antivirus

Avast Pro is a world-renowned antivirus application and comes with a set of helpful tools to provide complete security by eliminating all external threats to your Windows operated personal computer. Automatic scanning happens at user scheduled time intervals.

The automatic update features of virus definitions makes Avast Pro one of the top security systems for your personal computer. The antivirus application comes with a “Do Not Track” feature which increases the level of privacy for several leading web browsers.

Also Read: Six Best Web Browsers In The World.

Avast Pro Antivirus protects critical and sensitive information in your system from hackers by restricting access to your computer, curtails malicious time-consuming email scams, comes with the safe zone which acts as virtual window preventing larceny of banking data base. The company offers a downloadable 30-day free of cost trial version with a fully featured licensed version valid for one year from the date of installation and activation of the application.

Click Here To Get Avast Pro Antivirus Today!

6. F-Secure Antivirus

F-Secure Antivirus is also an effective and powerful antivirus application available in the market that removes malware, spyware, viruses, and any form of external threat to your computer. F-Secure Antivirus comes with an auto update feature with a user-friendly interface making it one of the most sought after antivirus applications today.

F-Secure Antivirus systematically checks all incoming email to identify any potential threats, automatically restricts all tracking cookies, ramps up the performance level of your system, comes with a 30-day free-to-try offer and there after purchase of the licensed version valid for a period of 2 years.

These are the 6 best antivirus applications available in the market for 2014 for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 operated personal computers and laptops. We request you to weigh the pros and cons of each software judiciously and opt for the best software program for to shield your PC and laptops from the exponentially multiplying and ever looming threat from virus and other malicious malware.

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