Viruses, trojans and other malware love to travel via USB drives these days. It’s up to you to stop them in your business.
- Use a newer operating system. Windows Vista and Windows 7 are less susceptible to USB-carried malware.
- Still on Windows XP? Press the Shift key when you insert a USB stick. That keeps malware from using AutoRun to infect you.
- Buy and use newer USB sticks with security features.
- Update your anti-virus software. Don’t have any? Use Avast Anti-Virus for free.
- Keep critical data on only one computer. Keep USB devices away from it, and keep it offline.
- About the Author
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
Alex Lesberg says
These are some great tips. For #2, another way to prevent AutoRun from running is to disable it entirely in Windows. Here’s the official Microsoft how-to: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715.
Alex @ Jackrabbit.com
Becky McCray says
Thanks, Alex. That isn’t as simple, but once it’s done, you don’t have to worry about remembering.