printer friendly version

BitDefender offers free tool against autorun malware

USB Immunizer helps prevent spread of threats such as Conficker and Stuxnet.

BitDefender has released a free USB Immunizer tool to protect against prominent Autorun-based malware threats.

For years, this form of malware has ranked highly in the worldwide e-threat landscape, with notorious examples including Trojan.AutorunInf, the Conficker worm (Win32.Worm.Downadup), Worm.Autorun.VHD or the fearsome Stuxnet.

To help computer users more easily protect themselves, BitDefender’s USB Immunizer allows you to shield your USB storage device or SD card against infections. Even if your storage device has been plugged into an infected computer, the piece of malware will be unable to create its autorun.inf file, thus removing any chance of it auto-launching.

The Immunize Computer slider allows the user to toggle the Autorun feature On or Off for any removable media (except for CD/DVD-ROM devices). For those who frequently read and write data from USB sticks or SD cards, disabling the Autorun option can save the unpleasant surprise of getting their computer infected without warning.

Catalin Cosoi, BitDefender head of Online Threats Lab observed: “For several years, we have seen a significant increase in malware exploiting the Autorun technology in order to infect other computers via flash disks. Trojan.AutorunINF has been the world’s number one e-threat since the second half of 2009, while the other two representatives of the Autorun family – Worm.Autorun.VHG and Trojan.Autorun.AET - are constantly present in the global Top 10 malware tops.

“Our USB immunizer is a positive, easy-to-use response to this growing issue. It will help users to keep both their storage devices and computers safe.”

The BitDefender USB Immunizer is available for free http://labs.bitdefender.com/?page_id=108 located at http://labs.bitdefender.com/

Share this article:

Further reading: