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Autorun Worm: How to Protect Your Computer

Autorun Worm: How to Protect Your Computer

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The autorun worm is a destructive virus that can delete files, corrupt data, and damage your computer's operating system.
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The autorun worm is a destructive virus that can delete files, corrupt data, and damage your computer's operating system.

Key Takeaways

The autorun worm, also known as the "W32.AutoRun.worm", is a type of computer virus that spreads through removable media. This virus is typically spread through USB drives but can also be spread through other removable media such as CDs and DVDs.

The autorun worm, also known as the "W32.AutoRun.worm", is a type of computer virus that spreads through removable media. This virus is typically spread through USB drives but can also be spread through other removable media such as CDs and DVDs.

How the Worm Spreads

The Autorun worm spreads by exploiting the autorun feature in Microsoft Windows. Once the infection begins, the worm will create several fake folders on any removable drives connected to the computer. The names of these folders are typically random letters and numbers.When someone attempts to view the contents of one of these folders, " this folder contains an autorun.inf file. To view the contents of this folder, you must enable the autorun feature. If the user clicks "Enable," the worm will be executed and will begin to copy itself to any other removable drives connected to the computer.

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The worm will also create a fake autorun.inf file in each of the folders it makes. This file is used to execute the worm whenever the folder is opened automatically.The autorun worm can also spread through network shares. If a computer on a network has a shared drive that is not configured correctly, the worm can copy itself to the share and then spread it to other network computers.

Prevent infection from the Autorun worm by:- Disabling the autorun feature in Windows.- Being cautious of opening email attachments or running programs from removable drives.- Running a comprehensive scan with reliable anti-virus software to remove the worm and other malicious software if you suspect your computer is infected.

Beware of Shared Removable Devices

The Autorun worm can spread through shared removable devices, such as USB flash drives. If you insert an infected drive into your computer, the worm will automatically execute and begin to spread. Scan removable drives with anti-virus software before opening them to prevent an infection. If you suspect a driver is infected, do not insert it into your computer.

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

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Over one million people use Guardio to keep themselves safe as they browse the web. It’s rated “Excellent” on TrustPilot with 4.5 stars from 1,552 reviews.

Reliable Anti-Virus: What to Do When You are Already Infected

If you suspect your computer is infected with the Autorun worm, run a comprehensive scan with your anti-virus software to remove the worm and any other malicious software. Use a reliable anti-virus program to prevent future infections and keep it up-to-date.

Backing Up Your Data: An Important Step in Protecting Your Computer

The Autorun worm can delete files and corrupt data. Regularly back up your files to an external drive or online storage to protect your data. If your computer is ever infected with a virus, you will not lose your important files.

Although the Autorun worm can result in critical long-term damage, you can stop and even reverse any malicious attacks on your computer and personal files if you follow the steps outlined here.

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Make sure you have a personal safety plan in place. If you believe someone is stalking you online and may be putting you at risk of harm, don’t remove suspicious apps or confront the stalker without a plan. The Coalition Against Stalkerware provides a list of resources for anyone dealing with online stalking, monitoring, and harassment.

Guardio Security Team
Guardio’s Security Team researches and exposes cyber threats, keeping millions of users safe online. Their findings have been featured by Fox News, The Washington Post, Bleeping Computer, and The Hacker News, making the web safer — one threat at a time.
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