Windows XP/7: How to Prevent Flash Drive Viruses Forever!

One of the most common ways for offices to get a virus outbreak is through flash drives.  For some reason many of the big anti-virus companies haven't tarket flash drive viruses and instead focus on web browsing and emails.  Fair enough, but the flash drive solution is rather simple:

How do viruses spread through flash drives?  Through a "feature" in Windows that allows software to automatically and easily run from a flash drive, CD or DVD simply by inserting it in the computer.  On a more technical note, Windows looks for a file called autorun.inf that maps the execution out for the user.

The problem is that viruses can replace or create autorun.inf to run malicious programs from the flash drive.  I say the tradeoff of convenience over security is not worth it, so let's disable Window's use of autorun.inf and forever be rid of the problem with flash drive viruses!

There used to be a registry script that would make this possible, but it seems the Microsoft has embraced the move to disable autorun.inf, so the solution is rather straight forward.

For very technical background info, read this page from Microsoft.

Down the middle of the page you'll see a button saying "Fix It" under the heading "Disable Autoplay".  This is the one you want.  Or simply click here to directly install it.

That's it!  No more viruses!

To clean existing flash drives, I have found Microsoft Security Essentials to do the best job.  I don't know why, but McAfee and other big anti-virus brands just don't seem to care what's on your flash drive.

Windows cannot find 'search:query=cmd"

Problem:  you go to Start and in the search field you enter the name of some system tool (cmd, run, regedit, etc.) and you get the error "Windows cannot find 'search:query=(whatever you wish to run)".  Other searches seem to run okay, as long as its not a system file.

The indexing service is running and restarting the computer doesn't seem to fix it.  After much trial and error, I was able to fix the root of several problems by running this Microsoft Fixit solution:  KB886549.

I only list this on my blog because the article doesn't directly claim to fix the search:query= error, so I am happy to bring it to everyone's attention.

Can't install Microsoft Security Essentials (Error Code 0x80070643)

Problem:  You can't install Microsoft Security Essentials and get an error coder 0x80070643.

First, be sure to go through these steps.

But when I found that this didn't help, I kept digging and realized I have was having other problems including not being able to open the Management Console or searching from the start menu.  Error 1606 also appeared in the event log.

That's when I came across KB886549, which addresses some registry settings pointing to user profile locations. Just run the "Fix it" button and you're set and should be able to install Microsoft Security Essentials.

Unhide Folders Hidden By a Virus

Problem:  a virus reached your flash drive (maybe even your entire computer) and hid all you folders.  You may even see that your folders have been replaced by a shortcut icon (one with a black arrow in the lower corner).  After removing the virus, the folders can't be unhidden and the property check boxes do not respond.

Solution:  Use a command prompt to change the attributes.

1)  Open the command prompt by going to Start > Run and typing "cmd".  A black screen will open.

2)  Type attrib -s -h /S /D x:\

NOTE:  x:\ should be the drive indicating your flash drive that has the hidden folders.

Open the flash drive again and your folders should now be visible again.