How to test a USB flash drive for viruses?

Each user must protect his PC fromviruses, which, unfortunately, can infect the device not only through the network, but also through an infected USB flash drive, and therefore before opening the flash drive you should always check it for viruses.

Let's see how to check the USB flash drive for free.

Do you have an antivirus?

Of course, you can check your USB flash drive for viruses.Only if an antivirus program is installed on your PC. You can download the antivirus, for example, here. The specified link leads to the official site of Kaspersky Lab, under the "Trial versions" section. Here the user can download a trial version of any liked product completely free of charge and enjoy it for 30 days.

How do I perform a check?

1. Insert the USB flash drive into the PC.
2. Open the "Computer" section.
3. Click the flash drive with the right mouse button and select "Scan for viruses" in the drop-down menu.
4. Wait for the scan to end.

If the scan shows viruses, the antiviruswill prompt you to select one of the available actions. For example, to treat or delete a virus. In some cases, treatment is not available, and only one option is offered - to delete, and of course, the infected file can also be lost.

Disable autorun!

In some systems, the default mode isautostart flash drive, in this case the flash drive is automatically opened instantly by the system, and the user does not have time to perform a virus scan. Of course, autorun is a convenient option, but not safe, and therefore it is better to disable it. Make it simple:

1. Go to the "Start" menu, select "Control Panel", then "All Control Panel Items".
2. Find the "Autostart" section.
3. Uncheck "Use autorun for all media and devices".

Remember, when you uncheck this item,all the carriers, not only flash drives, will have to be started in manual mode, however this is even good, because by and large the viruses before the opening need to check not only the flash drives, but all the devices that you connect to the PC.

Read also the article How to clean a USB flash drive from viruses.