How to Protect Pendrive from virus

Hello Friends, Today's topic is as per query one of our reader asked for, Here it is..

Now-a-days, we can't imagine life without Pendrives, Memeory cards. They are must for everyone.
Also they are always prone to virus as we have to use them on different PC/Systems which in turn leads to risk of our own system getting infected.
So, the question arises:

How to protect Pendrive / usb drives from virus?

Follow these steps to minimize the risk:

1. Format the drive using NTFS

NTFS is more secure than the FAT-32 file format as it has a built in administrative feature.

FAT-32 is compatible with all hardware manufacturers and operating-systems. 

How to format?

Plug-in the drive in Computer -> Right click the drive icon -> Format -> Change file systems to NTFS and proceed to format.

2. Create a folder named 'Autorun.inf' in the pen drive

This will prohibit virus from getting run automatically once inserted in computer.

Open pendrive-> Right click -> New -> Folder -> type Autorun.inf
make it read only:
Open command prompt->Type attrib +r +s g:\Autorun.inf 
'g:' is drive letter of your usb drive, put the drive letter your usb drive belongs to.

3. Set Permissions to Read

It is better to keep the Usb Drive in 'Read Only' mode. This will let you read all your Data but at the same time prohibit anything from getting written in it (when put in infected computer).

Right Click drive icon -> Properties  -> Go to 'Security' tab -> edit > set permissions to Read. 

Now everyone will think, "How to write new data on my usb drive". Relax! Follow next step.

4.Create Write folder

Create a folder named 'Write' (can give any name)

Right Click Write folder -> Properties  -> Go to 'Security' tab -> edit > Set permissions to Read & Write .

Now Virus and Malware cannot be written in the root of the USB flash drive. Also, One can always save their data in the 'Write' folder.

Feel free to ask queries.

Have a nice day :) :)

How to avoid PDF virus and protect your PC

PDF (Portable Document Format) files are used to store information and are transferred via different means.
Generally we think PDF files are safe from viruses. Are they Really safe from Virus??
Answer is "NO"

Shocked !!!

So, How do PDF files become malicious?
- Programmers inject a small piece of Javascript code in the PDF file.
- When you open the PDF document, the script will be executed and it will call an external virus(mostly trojan) and it will infect your computer.

Now, you will ask too many questions :
How to avoid PDF virus and protect my PC ?
How to use PDF files without infecting my PC ?
What is the Solution to PDF virus ?

- Don't worry, follow these instructions and protect your PC :

Solution

Adobe Reader Users:

Open Adobe Reader
->Edit -> Preferences (or press ctrl + k)
In Categories ->Javascript.

-> Uncheck Enable Acrobat JavaScript 
-> Ok

Foxit Reader users:

Open Foxit Reader
->File->Preferences

-> Trust Manager -> in Javascript -> Uncheck Enable JavaScript Actions
-> OK

Now Open PDF files without worry !!
:) :)

How to Prevent from virus - Learn safe habits

"Prevention is Better than cure"

PC with Virus

Imagining the world without Computer is impossible and so is 'A virus free world'!

If we have to live in the same world then why not Learn and Prepare ourselves so as to Prevent Virus infection as long as we can.

'Antivirus' is the word must be coming in your mind by now.

Okay.. Let me Divide this computer world in Three Categories: 

I.   Computers having No Antivirus

II.  Computers having Good Antivirus

III. Computers having Antivirus & Virus (living together happily)

You might be thinking Second Category must be virus free.

As per I see it,even a Mid-Low level Virus can enter and infect all the three Categories if the User handling them are unaware of Safe habits.

Safe System = Secure computer+(security)Informed user

Who is (security)Informed user ?

-User who Learn and practice safe habits to use computer.

-Keeps updating his knowledge time to time

Safe Habits - to prevent virus

- Have a Good Updated Antivirus installed

   Some Good Free Antiviruses:

          - 'Microsoft Security Essentials' if you have Genuine Windows else

          - 'AVG' or 'Avast' (free versions)

  

- Update your Window Regularly

- Keep Pop up Blocker ON

- Have a File catching Download Manager installed(idm, orbit downloader) and set it to catch all virus extensions

(unsafe websites download virus in your PC in back-end)  

- Prohibit going to illegal website (including keygen, torrent) even if you do, scan everything you get.

- scan everything you get from outside world before using whether you downloaded it, email attachment, from LAN network, External drives

- Using external drives(pendrive, memory card, external HDD) safely:

  - Always close the AutoPlay window which comes after inserting:

AutoPlay

  
  - Don't double click it from My computer also

  - Open it either from address bar or explore(my computer-right click drive-explore)
  - Always keep 'show hidden files' ON while using External drives.
  - Don't click anything suspicious, NEVER click shortcut or .exe extension you don't know about

  - In each of your drive(local, pendrive, MMC, HDD)

     - Make a New folder->name it as ' Autorun.inf ' 

     - Open command prompt-> go to your drive-> type this code:

       attrib +r +s +h Autorun.inf

    

  
I will try to keep updating you here, If you have any doubt or query regarding above, Feel free to ask.

Tell me how much you like it.
Any suggestion to improve is always welcome!!

Happy Safe Computing!!

:) :)             

  

How to clean Virus infection from your computer safely

Clean Virus

You came to know that your PC or Laptop is infected with viruses.

Don't Panic! It is not the end of your system, it can be cleaned easily and Formatting is not necessary.
Just Follow our instructions... :)


If your computer is infected with a Malwares (like virus, trojan, worm etc) It is better to remove it as quickly as possible.
You might be thinking of downloading or purchasing an antivirus to remove 'the Parasites'. 

These were the old school methods, But Malware Programmers, or convenient to say, Virus Programmers have gone far ahead.
Now virus connects to their originators and download other malwares and make many changes in your system so as to make it difficult for you to remove them.

Some of those Changes are like :

-> Disable browsing security websites (ex- microsoft.com, symantec.com, etc )
-> Sometimes won't allow to connect to internet.
-> Disable windows tools like Task manager, Registry editor, cmd etc
-> Disable Folder options & thus won't let you see hidden files, extensions
-> Associate itself with system restore points (so that it can revoke itself after system restore)
-> Disable current antivirus program  & even won't allow you to install new antivirus !!
-> In some case, associate itself with the new antivirus being installed and remain untouched by it.

More Tensed!! :o
Don't worry, I am here to solve your problems. :)

Solution

Download some software which will be required further. If you are unable to go to the websites due to virus then download them from a clean computer and keep them in a clean Pen-drive. 

- Virus Process terminating tool : Rkill (download all versions keep them in a folder)

- Virus Removing Tools: Norman malware cleaner or Microsoft Safety Scanner 

-  MalwareBytes

- Antivirus: Microsoft security essentials, AVG Free / Avast ,  if you have any other personal choice

Before starting cleaning process,keep above files in infected PC and Disconnect it from Internet. Don't do anything else, Do only the steps asks you to do, in some cases, it can take longer time while scanning, Be Patient!!

First step: Stop Virus process

First it is better to stop processes of virus, so that difficulties in removing virus gets minimised. Please do not Restart your system after using 'Rkill', as Malwares are scheduled to start during start up. Immediately start cleaning as 'Rkill' finishes.  
->Run 'Rkill'
it will show in command prompt all the changes it is making.
When it Finishes, immediately proceed to Second step.

 Second step: Start cleaning 


A fast and safe way to check and clean for viruses is to use 'Virus removal tools' like 'Norman Malware Cleaner' , 'Microsoft Safety Scanner' and other tools provided by antivirus companies for Free(here I am providing those I use most).
These Tools are a free online service that helps you detect and remove viruses.

Procedure: Simple...
-> Run any of the above tools Downloaded
-> Accept
-> Do 'Full scan' and follow the instruction and remove Infected files and Threats
-> If it asks for a restart then Do it.


Third step: Make sure that no virus is left

-> Install MalwareBytes by double clicking it and follow normal steps of installing.

-> Turn off System restore (control panel> system > system restore )
This prevents malwares from coming back.
-> Reboot (as screens tuns off,keep tapping F8) with Advance Boot Option , choose 'Safe mode with networking'

Advance Boot Menu -Safe mode with networking

-> connect to internet, (if it doesn't connects, reboot in same fashion & try again. If still can't then reboot normally & connet with internet)
-> Right click the MalwareByte icon  'M' in taskbar, click Check for updates.
-> After finishing Update, Disconnect from internet (better unplug the LAN cable or whichever medium being used)
-> Open MalwareBytes, Do a 'Full scan'
-> Follow removal process as asked(check all detected->Remove selected)
-> Reboot Normally, again check for updates, again Do 'Full Scan' (to be double sure)
-> if it catches virus again, then clean them follow process mentioned in above line again

Now you can be sure of removal of viruses.
But still to be on safer side, Follow Step 3.

Fourth Step: Prohibiting attack

Now your system is cleaned from infection. But it needs Proactive monitoring so as to catch and prevent any future Virus attack. You may connect to internet now.

- Install a good Antivirus with Proactive Monitoring

Choosing Antivirus: I have chosen these two as per my experience and criteria, we can discuss it in further posts.
If your systems run Genuine Microsoft Windows version, then you must choose 'Microsoft security essentials' as it is the only Free complete version and very much effective Antivirus Program available. 
Else you may opt for  Free AVG/ Avast or any Good Antivirus (we will discuss about them in further posts)

- After installation, Update it
- Do a Full scan (to be on safer side)
- Remove infection as per instruction (if any)
- Restart if it asks to


This is Basic suggestion that can be given to any Infected Computer remotely for safely removal of Malwares (viruses in common language) .

It is Suggested to Learn and Practice Virus-safety Habits to prevent further virus attack. 





Feel free to ask any problem, i'll be happy trying to solve them.

Happy Computing and safe surfing :)