One of the biggest fears of Internet users, is to get viruses and get your computer infected by them. But well, although the word “ virus ” is usually generalized by referring to all types of computer threats, in reality there are several types of these of which a person can be a victim on the network .
Thus, they are from small “ virus ” 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.
In this post, we will focus specifically on the “direct access virus” that apart from infecting a PC, it is also capable of doing so on a USB stick. Next, we announce the main methods that you can use to eliminate this type of virus , as well as to avoid it.
What is the “shortcut” virus and how does it really work?
While it is true, direct access viruses are a type of computer threat that mixes a Trojan and a worm into a single warning that focuses on infecting the computer to from some malicious program and as a result, all files and folders contained in the computer are converted to shortcut files, so the originals are camouflaged.
In this sense, basically, the shortcut virus what it does is hide all the icons and folders that the user has on his system and immediately replace them with shortcuts that have the Same appearance as the originals, but they are not. That way, it starts to infect the computer.
As for its operation, it can be noted that this type of virus is spread from one PC to another by means of flash memories, pen drives, memory cards and even Internet or Bluetooth connection exchanges .
In addition, it is worth noting that the most common virus of this type that is obtained in removable drives, is identified as “ autorun.inf ” and is responsible for infecting the system and multiplying the virus through the creation of unlimited shortcuts .
Steps and methods to remove a virus that creates shortcut folders in my PC
Once the user knows that the direct access virus has invaded his computer, the most important question of all is “How to delete the direct access virus from my PC or USB memory? ”; Luckily, there are several methods that can be used for this and best of all, it does not require much work.
Then, if you want to recover your files that have been camouflaged as shortcuts again, then we indicate the methods you can use:
Using CMD without using programs
In case you didn’t know, the shortcut virus is a malicious program that only runs on Windows computers . Which means that, Mac OS and Linux users can rest easy with this, since they are not affected by such a breakdown.
In view of this, Windows has a useful tool that allows you to get rid of such a virus in two by three , that is, very easily. This tool basically makes use of the command console that contains the operating system, which opens from the Start menu itself.
However, keep in mind that you must be absolutely careful when using this CMD command line, as improper use can bring serious results .
Once this is clarified, know the step-by-step to follow to eliminate the virus with Windows CMD:
- To get started, make sure the infected disk or memory is connected to the computer .
- Then, click on the Start icon on your PC and Type the command “ CMD ” into the search box.
- Now, to open that command, press Enter .
- It’s time to write the drive letter of your hard drive or USB flash drive partition on the PC. Occasionally, it can be /: D, E, G , etc.
- After that, type “ attrib g: *. * / D / s -h -r –s ”and press Enter again. In this way, you can recover your files from the PC or USB.
Using an antivirus program
Another of the most used alternatives, is to use antivirus programs that facilitate these procedures and allow you to remove the virus from your PC’s direct access or pendrive. However, even though there are many antivirus software, you need to use one that manages to detect the shortcut virus and thereby also allows you to scan the USB memory >.
Thus, one of the most recommended programs for this in Windows, is Avast Antivirus . Which makes use of various detection methods with powerful tools that find virtually all existing viruses.
These methods are:
- Scaner : The antivirus has a powerful engine that prohibits the entry of computer viruses, malware, spyware and any program that causes damage to the computer. In addition, you can scan ZIP, 7-ZIP, CHM, CAB, MIME files, among others.
- Anti-rootkit : Basically, it is an Avast Antivirus function capable of preventing attacks “ Rootkit ”, using Gmer technology.
- Anti Spyware : As the name implies, it does not allow spyware to be installed on your computer and proceed to steal all your information to use it illegally.
- Heuritic (engine) : It is an engine with the ability to detect known viruses and offer you this information of in advance.
- Code simulation : A tool that allows you to simulate code to prevent damage to the system, after performing a manual or automatic scan.
As an additional solution, we also advise you to use the “ Trojan Remover ” program on your Windows computer. Given that, it is an antivirus that has tools with which you can keep the computer clean and thus, prevent any type of Trojan from accessing it .
That is, it is based on an ideal antitroyano program to detect and eliminate direct access viruses, because these are a combination between a Trojan and a worm, as we indicated in the beginning.
With Shortcut virus remove
If you prefer to put aside the use of the Windows command line and have another program as an alternative, the best option for you is to use “ Shortcut virus remover ” which refers to software Free with the ability to eliminate the annoying shortcut virus in a very simple way.
Since, it deletes all files automatically, just like the shortcut folders and so, manages to recover your original folders .
As for the process you have to follow to do this with the help of Shortcut virus remover, it is as follows:
Download Shortcut virus remover for Windows
Download Shortcut virus remover for Mac
- Once you download the program in question, access it and there you will see two options: Pendrive and Computer . Among them, click on “ Pendrive ”, if you want to delete the virus from a USB drive. On the other hand, select “ Computer ” if you want to remove the virus from your computer.
- As in this case we will focus on eliminating the USB virus, we have chosen “ Pendrive ”and after that, you must click on the corresponding letter of the USB drive.
- Subsequently, press the button“ Scan ”for the program Start searching and detecting the virus.
- After completing the previous process, the shortcuts will be found and there, it is time to click on “ Delete ” in order to delete the virus.
- Finally, you can already have in your Pendrive or Disco the original files or documents that the program recovered.
As you will see, this program is more effective than the others we recommend, since it focuses solely and exclusively on removing the shortcut virus and in the same way, recover the original folders.
Windows How to prevent our hard drive Mac or a USB memory externally infected with a computer virus?
In the face of such latent computer insecurity today, it is valuable to know some ways that allow you to prevent the hard disk of the computer or the external USB memory that you use constantly, can be infected by any type of computer virus strong>, that is, from the simplest to the most powerful.
For this, here are some recommendations that you should follow:
- You need to improve the security of your web browser to prevent it from executing potentially dangerous programs, automatically. Since, in general, this type of software can be found on any website you visit next. Which is recommended for both Windows and Mac.
- As far as possible, take care of uninstalling programs that you no longer use on your computer . In view of the fact that, on many occasions, obsolete software can cause security problems and infect the computer without any contemplation, since you have an outdated tool installed.
- We recommend you be very careful when opening files that you Share via email, either through download links or by any other means. To do this, it is best not to open files from unknown sources that may be malware .
- In case you need to open or insert files or external media from third parties very frequently, the most advisable thing is to have a system divided into compartments (such as Tails), in order to prevent the virus from infecting your PC and accessing personal files.
- It is very important that you install the updates of the programs hosted on the computer, as soon as they are available . Usually, on Windows and Mac computers, you need to download and run a new installer for this.
- You should not insert the pendrive input and output devices, USB sticks, CD-ROOM and DVD, when The startup of the legal operating system is starting. In addition, we also recommend to create a virus-free boot disk .
- It is valuable that use a Firewall (Internet, USB, operating system) to thus being able to prevent access to any unknown operation, whether internal or external.
All these and many other recommendations are necessary to keep in mind to keep a computer free of any kind of virus and, in this way, do not infect a USB memory when inserting it into it.
In the same way, it is significant that analyze any external memory before committing it to the equipment , to avoid any problem in case it presents errors (For example, you can do it in Windows when entering safe mode ).