Free USB Security

What free security program can protect a USB from malware, e.g. if you're running a portable browser in an Internet cafe?

Thanks

 

Iirc Drive sentry Go anywhere.

 

I was just about to try it, but the USB version doesn't seem to be free - just a free trial.

 

I found this one sokx pro, but I don't know about its effectiveness, since it only protect autorun.inf file of your USB drive...

 

Well it does not answer your question,but i am sure you'd like to consider it,especially with the price of nowaday's thumb drives..you can find thumb drives that have copy protection physical switches...nothing will hop on the drive wherever you plug it(ermm..whichever pc ) xD

 

FYI

I'm trying Drive Sentry anyhow. It seems a lot easier to use than my previous Avast security.

 

I've heard this is pretty good.


Portable USB WriteProtector

Prevents data writing to USB drives

The USB WriteProtector is developed to prevents write access to a USB stick. It will not permit data writing on the drive keeping it safe from surreptitious malware writing.


http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTAB...pplications-Portable-USB-WriteProtector.shtml

 

It can not prevents malware to copying itself to removable storage but it can prevents malware to creates a hidden autorun.inf file to launch infector automatically when the device is plugged in.

Edit: SOKX Pro will create AUTORUN.INF folder but as I see it is easy to delete this folder, so it can be deleted by malware too. You need to create AUTORUN.INF folder that it is not easy to delete. Check this links:

Create an AUTORUN.INF folder on your USB Flash Drive and prevent viruses from deleting it (step by step method) or

Successfully creating an AUTORUN.INF folder with this batch file (fast method)

 

Thanks for the links Zimzi.

Don't hesitate to share with us more informative links like this for usb security.

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

That does sound interesting but then I can't even run Firefox portable on my USB, which is too restrictive for me.

 

It just adds two registry keys and value which is "WriteProtect"=dword:00000000 or dword:00000001. Is this enough ...

 

How does it work? Does it prevent anything from being written to the stick? Or can you still save the info that you want?

 

nope..it just does not accept write I/O at all.its ideal when you want to transfer data to an untrusted pc..and you turn on the switch whenever you like.

 

Not sure I follow you. Why is it too restrictive for you?

 

So I can't browse the Internet in an Internet cafe unless it copies some files onto the computer which seems to lose some privacy.

 

Not sure what to recommend then. ClamWin portable could help but I don't think it has a realtime scanner like Avast portable, but that's not free.

 

I think I get it Chris! Thanks!

 

Try to change path of the temporary internet folder to the computer you are browsing at, eg C:/../desktop/TIF. Then it might work, but I have no tried it.
By the way I use NTFS permissions to deny writing to my USB except one folder, where I can put some files. I also have one folder read/copy protected.

 

Anyone tried this? I wonder is worth having it on USB stick.

USB FireWall V 1.1.3

http://www.net-studio.org/application/usb_firewall.php

 

I think that in this forum we lack of USB threads.

It would be nice if we could have one sticky thread solely for USB, USB software, USB security, tips&tricks, installing Windows or Linux, and so on.

 

It must be installed on PC because its main purpose is to protect PC from malware on USB Flash Disk. Bassicaly, it searches for an autorun.inf file after USB Flash Disk is inserted to PC and if USB FireWall finds autorun.inf file gives user an option to delete it and its associated application.

To me it seems that it is an abandoned project?

 

I've just found this :

FREE SafeHouse Explorer

http://www.safehousesoftware.com/SafeHouseExplorer.aspx

 

Mx One is an anti-virus designed to protect removable storage devices like USB memory stick (also known as pendrives), iPod ™, mp3, mp4, memories M2, SD, microSD, among many more devices. MX One is also 'installable' on regular PC (so it checks any unknown stick when attached.)
http://www.mxone.net/en/

 

Looks interesting, but not seeing this recommended at the usual portable apps sites I visit, or even hearing of it being mentioned at any security sites I frequent, I wonder how good it can really be.

It looks like it uses signature based detection and being under 1MB, can it really be that good? Have you run the program yourself? Do you know of any tests done with the program against malware? I guess not having heard of the program before or seen it recommended anywhere previously I'm just being extra careful and trying to get any additional info before I even try it.

Thanks.

 

Some feedback on my Drive Sentry Goanywhere trial.

I was at a customer today using my pendrive & after using it for a while, DS decided to hang. This actually blocked my pendrive & I was not able to use it at all!