Disable Autorun
Removable USB/thumb drives use the Autorun feature to load files when the drives are plugged into the USB port. Malware exploits the Autorun feature to spread from thumb drive to PC. Disable the autorun feature to prevent malware from spreading.
If you want to disable the autoplay / autorun feature, follow these steps:
1. Go to your Start menu and click Run. You can get to here also by pressing the Windows and R buttons simultaneously.
2. Type GPEDIT.MSC and hit ENTER. This brings up so called Group Policy Editor.
Autoplay / Autorun in Windows XP...
If you are in Windows XP, then locate the
Code:
Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System
Scroll down in the right pane until you find the Turn off Autoplay item. Double-click the Turn off Autoplay. When you are in the Turn off Autoplay Properties dialog box, click Enabled. And finally choose All drives from the drop-down list underneath.
Autoplay / Autorun in Windows Vista
If you are in Windows Vista, then locate the following policy
Code:
Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\AutoPlay Policies
Find the Turn off Autoplay policy and double-click it, or you can also right-click it and select Properties. Click Enabled and then OK. Then, double-click the Default behavior for AutoRun. Click Enabled, and choose Do not execute any autorun commands in the resulting drop-down list.
You may need to log off for the change in the Autoplay group policy to take effect