Having a USB pendrive is good for productivity because it can carry large files despites its small size. With capacity more than 8gb and fast write/copy speed, this invention has become one of the most needed computer devices for students, workers, teachers, and others to manage their digital files nowadays.
However, with the heavy usage of USB pendrive a major problem arises. Virus creators turn their attention towards this tiny device to exploit unsecured computers. Many viruses infect the pendrives and of course inclusive of the PC where it is plugged in which has Microsoft Windows operating system installed. It is made possible due to the compromised autorun.inf script file which automatically execute in company with viruses files whenever the device containing the file is plugged into Windows-based computer. Windows operating system does not disable autorun by default.
To counter this problem, there are several methods that one can use. First is to enable write protect on USB flash drive which is useful if you plan not to do any change to your USB flash drive. There’s also viruses and malware removal tool by sUBs which comes in handy. But today I’m going to cover about free standalone antivirus solution which consists of both prevention and cure approaches.
Mx One Antivirus 4.0 is a free antivirus for your USB pendrive, iPod, mp4 and mp3 players, memoirs M2, SD, micro SD, and many more USB-based storage devices. It protects your USB drives against virus, trojans, worms, spyware, hacking tools, and software risks. It also quarantines suspicious and infected files for deletion purpose.
The installation file is 1.4 mb. You need roughly 1mb of free space reserved on your PC or removable media for this software. You can install either into your PC or your USB flash drive or both better protection.
With this free antivirus for pendrive the question that comes in one’s mind would probably if this antivirus gets to work well with antivirus that is already installed in our pc? Fortunately, it is compatible with any antivirus resident like Nod 32, Kapersky, BitDefender, AVG, Norton, Panda, Avast, Avira Antivir.
The key aspect of Mx One Antivirus 4.0 is it provides realtime protection. Check and Destroy system detects and removes all viruses that attemp to infect our USB device while connected to infected PC even for unknown viruses. On the other hand, Guardian system protects our PC from viruses that come from infected USB devices. Always update the signature file periodically to prevent new virus threat.
Download Mx One Antivirus 4.0 (1.4mb, zipped) | Homepage
. I don’t want this software to be like Windows...
May 27th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Thank you for this excellent advise. I truly appreciate it.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Will test that soft. In my part, I just disable my autorun.inf file in my usb drive.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Antivirus for a USB drive is a good idea. I think most people wouldn’t bother with this as they fear wasting space on their portable drive. If the filesize is low enough I think it would be great.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Very nice tip! I didnt know that antivirus could be installed into the USB drive.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:33 am
You have not mentioned anything for flash cards but i am guessing it might work on that as well. I have a camera that has storage unit as flash cards. Let me try this as i personally think it is truly important.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
What os are you using?.Windows xp and vista have a tool for this anyway,just plug in the usb drive then my computer/right click the usb drive/format/defaults or however you want to do it(defaults is easiest).
October 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
When I plug in my USB pen drive. My Windows XP prone me error “Administrator has prohibit access to USB/1394 mass storage devices”. How to disable the error message and gain access to my pen drive?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Wow, really good.
No more spyware from pendrives that have to visit others computers. Great!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:42 am
Thanks. It’s hard to find antivirus that compatible with both usb and pc. I think kaspersky should produce their own version of usb antivirus too.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:33 am
since the pen drive is easily affected by virus, this free anti virus is of great use. thanks for this info…
January 13th, 2010 at 12:14 am
You have to download Avast to the pen drive.Plug in the pen drive’ Download Avast’ When the screen comes up that ask you to copy it to c:programs’ Click browse find your usb pen drive letter’ Mine is F’ Click it. It will send it to your pen drive. Everytime you wish to update it’ Plug in your pen drive. Open the program and click update. It will run it from there. Your good to go.