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Can my flash drive have a virus on it?
terenkleon


Joined: 15 Dec 2011
Posts: 0
Location: usa
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my computer (windows partitioned onto mac, idk if that makes a difference) got a nasty virus, trojan i think and something called blaster worm. i plugged in a flash drive and copied some excel files that i needed onto it before the virus corrupted the entire system, then unplugged the flash right away.
could the flash drive have the virus on it or is it safe? i just dont want to infect another computer if its on the flash

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Last edited by terenkleon on Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:40 am; edited 6 times in total
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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The flash drive no doubt still has the virus on it. Flash drives are a common method of infection, and viruses do not normally delete themselves on a USB. Follow the advice here on cleaning the USB. The ClamWin antimalware page also lists some sources of help. If you need more help cleaning your computer, try Malwarebytes' free version at https://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free on the web. Kaspersky's TDSSKiller is also a free program that finds most of the common rootkit (hidden) malware. It is available at https://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363 on the web.

A Windows patch disabled USB autorun well over a year ago. You should also scan a new USB or an old USB before using it.

Regards,
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bishvabis


Joined: 19 Nov 2011
Posts: 0
Location: usa
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Yes it's possible, now however if you are running it on a computer with a different operating system then you should be safe.


Last edited by bishvabis on Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:19 pm; edited 2 times in total
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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Some times the virus will be placed on USB as a "protected operating system" file with the Windows folders view hidden. If you change the folders view to uncheck that option, it will be seen (autorun.inf or whatever), and you can delete it. Don't forget to change the folders view back or you will see some real hidden folders on your desktop.

Regards,
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sareenarossman


Joined: 07 Feb 2012
Posts: 0
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If you have lots of viruses in your computer or laptop, it is most likely to be affected already as flashdrives are so easily affected by viruses. I suggest you format your flashdrive if your files are not that important.
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Trojan viruses..
johncruz014


Joined: 06 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
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Trojan virus the most common virus will affect on your flashdrive, it came from internet or site specially porn site. It will be affected first on your hard drive specially drive c:/ then, if you don't know the your computer is already affected then you put your flashdrive on your computer and that will be the time that the viruses transfer into your flashdrive again.
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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If the USB is infected, it will sometimes have a file with a .inf extension on it. I would remove anything that has that extension. Also, sometimes a virus file will be hidden as a protected operating system file on the USB (and elsewhere). To see it: Control Panel, Folder Options, View, uncheck Hide Protected Operating System Files and Allow Hidden Extensions for Known File Types. Then check the USB. for files you did not see before. If you are not sure about a file, upload it to Jotti or Virus Total to see what multiple AVs say. If 2 of these AVs say it is infected, I will believe it: Avira AntiVir, Bitdefender, Eset Nod32, Kaspersky, or Sophos. Delete the file from the USB if infected and then re-check the Hide Protected Operating Sytem Files because lots of these hidden files are legitimate--you will see some hidden .ini files on your desktop and elsewhere. I like to leave the Allow Hidden Extensions for Known File Types unchecked permanently so I can see the file extensions. It might be best to do this from Windows Safe Mode With Networking if possible. You need "With Networking" to access the web in Safe Mode.

Regards,
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benjamin2351


Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
Location: Bangladesh
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If your PC starts clean & your AV is running & up to date then you shouldn't get infected just because you stick a stranger's flash drive in, so the first thing I'd do is clean up your PC & make sure your AV, etc. is up-to-date.
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hariselasa


Joined: 27 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
Location: surabaya
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Well yes of course there are possibilities for your flash drive getting infected by viruses. But as far as I know, I've no problem with getting rid of them from my flash drive. Any anti-virus software nowadays are good enough to clean your flash drive. No longer needed to format your flash drive, except for certain circumstances if yours are already severely damaged then they must be formatted.
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barrosa


Joined: 28 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
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How can scan a usb drive automatically when i insert it?
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GuitarBob


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: USA
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Many antivirus programs will scan a USB automatically if you configure it to do so. If you use ClamWin, you will have to scan it manually.

Regards,
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bosnachat


Joined: 31 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
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Yes it has virus on it.I suggest you to format it
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Flash Disk can be infected a virus
oceandave


Joined: 01 Apr 2012
Posts: 0
Location: Indonesia
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sure flashdisk can be infected a virus, i'm suggest to scan a virus first, if virus can't repair, please delete and format the flash disk.
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zekimen


Joined: 02 Apr 2012
Posts: 0
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the safely option is to forget all your files on the flash drive and format it, you can have a Trojan virus and get infected and then you have a BIG problem, my suggestion is to format it
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ItsFixed


Joined: 29 Mar 2012
Posts: 0
Location: Australia
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Agree with bosnachat’s suggestions. Definitely it has Virus and you should format your flash drive for safe use.

Cool
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Can my flash drive have a virus on it?
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