i've noticed that usb's have become the most common vector for viruses. here are some tips i want to share to all to avoid getting infected.

  1. Do not EVER click ANYTHING when the autorun menu comes up
  2. Do not EVER double click on any FOLDERS that you see on the explorer window


EXPLANATION:

Do not EVER click ANYTHING when the autorun menu comes up

windows automatically looks for an autorun.inf file whenever a media is connected to the computer (CD, external HD, USB). unfortunately, a lot of viruses use the autorun.inf file to automatically run their malicious programs when a usb is inserted into a computer. the best way to avoid this is to always select Cancel when the autorun menu comes up. Selecting anything else may just run the malicious program.

sa kadtong kamao, delete the autorun.inf file whenever you find them in your USB. it is possible that the file is legit, of course so it should be a case by case basis. for me, i'd rather not risk it.


Do not EVER double click on any FOLDERS that you see on the explorer window

there are these viruses that take advantage of how well people have gotten acquainted to the folder icon. kana bang yellow nga folder which serves as an icon for, well, folders.

what the virus does is to hide the legitimate folder and name itself with the same name as the legitimate folder. the virus also has an icon which is the same as the icon for a folder. it also sets the explorer settings to hide file extensions. thus, kadtong kamao mo-tanaw, di makabantay dayon nga they are opening an executable file, not a folder.

the best way to counteract this is to use the tree view/folder view feature of the file explorer. the tree view is when you see two windows in your explorer. the left window shows folders arranged as a tree structure. the right window shows files and folders as icons similar to normal explorer view.

to enter a folder, ALWAYS click on the folder icon at the left window. if naay folder icon at the right window and that folder does not exist on the left window, that is a virus. if the folder you want is not viewable at the left window, it has been hidden by the virus.

to unhide a hidden folder, you'll have to go to the command line and use attrib.

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hai kataas ato. if naa pangutana, ask away. if anyone else can add something to this, that would be great.