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 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

What about other USB Thumb Drive Bundled Software?

It is best to purchase only USB Thumb Drives that do not include any bundled software. When you get your new thumb drive, the first thing you should do is format it prior to using it.

Lexar JumpDrive Secure II Plus

Installing Lexar JD software disables video DVD support on a Macintosh system. Lexar encryption software can't be used on a Windows domain machine, can't be used on an Intel Mac, and breaks the DVD on a PPC Mac. Users report that Secure II has bugs that can make your encrypted data inaccessible.

 

 

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