If you have a USB flash drive with direct access files or documents, you may have known that there is a dangerous virus that can completely infect our computer. This, although it seems so, is not something really new, since there have been several years in which it has been seen that it is a problem that continues to affect. Now, what is this dangerous virus about and how can we eliminate it?
The shortcut virus, a common malware
Although there are many different types of viruses that can infect your computer, the so-called direct access viruses are a curious variety, because they are based on combining a Trojan with a worm, and which, in certain cases, can occur in situations such as memories or USB devices.
In general, as we will see below, this is a type of computer infection that is usually the most common malware infection in computers based on the Windows operating system in its different versions.
Because if; a portable memory is a very useful device, which are widely used, for example, by students. They have always been seen very well because it allows us to take all our jobs, projects and documents and then work on them without having to have an internet connection. But it is also true that it is quite easy for what are known as direct access viruses to sneak in through that USB.
What kind of virus is this?
As we say, the shortcut virus that can be found via USB is a shared computer virus that hides your files and replaces them with shortcuts with the same file name. By clicking on the shortcuts, the virus replicates itself and further infects your hard drive.
When the computer, hard drive partition or USB drive gets affected by shortcut virus, all the files become shortcuts and the actual data is inaccessible. The shortcut virus usually enters the drive through the execution of an .exe file that contained the virus or through the use of a flash drive on multiple computers.
At the same time, it has its own characteristics allowing it to be executed without our realizing it, for example, through exploits, or by tricking us into running it ourselves, such as through any of those direct accesses.
These shortcuts are inaccessible and can easily spread the virus once you click on these links. Is there a possibility to remove it? Of course, yes, and we can do it in various ways as we will see below.
what effects does it have
Regarding its operation, it can be noted that this type of virus can be spread by various sources. Well from one PC to another by means of flash memories, pen drives, memory cards and even exchanges of internet or bluetooth connections. It is worth noting that the most common virus deals with infecting the system and multiplying the virus through the creation of unlimited shortcuts.
In this way, they are found from small viruses to the most complex threats that, basically, are Trojans, worms, spyware and ransomware. Thus, each one has its own characteristics and uses different tactics to infect the user.
This combination allows viruses to hide all your files and folders and replace them with shortcuts that look exactly the same. Therefore, when we double click on one of these fake shortcuts, you end up running malicious software, malware, which can have different effects. For example, by activating one of them, the virus replicates itself further inside your computer, eventually leading to the theft of personal data, worsening of system performance, and other typical malware side effects.
We can easily remove it in three ways
In general, and beyond its danger, if we have a good antivirus system or any security software, it is capable of detecting the direct access virus before infecting our computer. Anyway, at that point, it is quite feasible that it may be too late, so before that happens we can eradicate it ourselves.
And there are many processes that can be followed to ensure that the virus is completely removed from the drive. Easy to operate, they ensure that the result is 100% effective.
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Formatting the USB drive. This is the easiest way to remove USB shortcut virus. To do so, simply select the file explorer, go to the drive and select format. It is fast and efficient.
- Use antivirus systems. For users facing this problem, getting a reliable antivirus would be a relief. With it, the antivirus will not only remove the USB shortcut virus, but also list other viruses that it may find.
- By using CMD. We will do this by pressing the Windows key + R to access the Run dialog box. Next, we will type CMD to access the command prompt, and then the name of your USB drive and press ‘Enter’. In the window box, we will enter the command “ATTRIBUTE -H -R -S AUTORUN.INF”. And we press ‘Enter’ one more time to remove the virus.
