Difference between revisions of "Sandisk U3 Flash Drive Virus"
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U3 is a USB flash storage app that lets you carry and run Microsoft Windows applications directly from the flash drive. For some people, this is a useful tool. However, it is also an extremely invasive piece of software that automatically installs itself on a Windows PC without asking permission or providing the option not to install as soon as you plug in the USB flash drive. | U3 is a USB flash storage app that lets you carry and run Microsoft Windows applications directly from the flash drive. For some people, this is a useful tool. However, it is also an extremely invasive piece of software that automatically installs itself on a Windows PC without asking permission or providing the option not to install as soon as you plug in the USB flash drive. | ||
| − | [http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/4540 | + | [http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/4540 U3_is_ a virus] because ScanDisk allows it to INSTALL without first ASKING the user if they want it. Software that modifies your computer system without your permission is a virus. |
The potential for replacing the U3 LaunchPad with something nasty is | The potential for replacing the U3 LaunchPad with something nasty is | ||
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note: does not do a total 100% uninstall of U3, but does remove the primary components and set an inactive registry flag. | note: does not do a total 100% uninstall of U3, but does remove the primary components and set an inactive registry flag. | ||
| − | 1) Download the U3 software: [http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415 | + | 1) Download the U3 software: [http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1415 U3 Launchpad Removal Tool] |
2) Remove any files that you have loaded and want to retain. | 2) Remove any files that you have loaded and want to retain. | ||
3) Plug in your SanDisk drive. | 3) Plug in your SanDisk drive. | ||
Revision as of 14:13, 30 July 2008
U3 is a USB flash storage app that lets you carry and run Microsoft Windows applications directly from the flash drive. For some people, this is a useful tool. However, it is also an extremely invasive piece of software that automatically installs itself on a Windows PC without asking permission or providing the option not to install as soon as you plug in the USB flash drive.
U3_is_ a virus because ScanDisk allows it to INSTALL without first ASKING the user if they want it. Software that modifies your computer system without your permission is a virus.
The potential for replacing the U3 LaunchPad with something nasty is rather obvious. One could envision a "U3 virus" passing just like an old-style floppy virus. Disabling U3 autorun is by disabling CD autorun via the registry - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=155217 A quick Google search got me a number of items by people who've changed the content of the CDFS.
U3 software can conflict with other popular software — especially all varieties of CD/DVD burning software.
Uninstall U3
note: does not do a total 100% uninstall of U3, but does remove the primary components and set an inactive registry flag.
1) Download the U3 software: U3 Launchpad Removal Tool 2) Remove any files that you have loaded and want to retain. 3) Plug in your SanDisk drive. 4) Run the U3 tool that you downloaded in step 1. 5) If the above does not work you might try this: http://www.u3.com/uninstall/default.aspx
There is an open source solution called Portable Apps that does what U3 will do, unlike U3, it is not a virus.
More on U3: http://www.hoystory.com/?p=3864
