Do you know that malware can enter your PC through your USB drive? Yes, every time you connect a USB drive to your computer system, it is at risk of getting malware, and the reason could be the Autorun feature of the Windows Operating System.
This is why you need the USB security software. While USB disk security software comes with many other features, the main function of this software is to protect your PC from all kinds of viruses that can enter through the USB drive. The USB security software is actually a solution to many of your PC security concerns. In this post, we will learn about some best free USB security software & antivirus for Windows PC.
Free USB security software, antivirus & other tools
When you connect a USB device to your PC, USB security software automatically scans it to make sure that it does not bring any malware along. Let us take a look at some of them.
- Autorun Deleter
- Windows USB Blocker
- BitDefender USB Immunizer Tool
- Panda USB Vaccine
- USB Secure Utilities
- USB Safeguard
- KASHU USB Flash Security
- USB Disabler
- Phrozen Safe USB
- USB Disk Security.
1] Autorun Deleter
Autorun Deleter is a free program from TheWindowsClub, which disables and deletes the Autorun.inf virus. If you find that a removable media is infected with the autorun.inf virus, simply run this tool. It will delete the file and make a change in the Windows registry to ensure that it does not appear again.
2] Windows USB Blocker
Windows USB Blocker actually blocks the USB drives of your PC thereby protecting it against the unwanted crapware. This portable tool comes in a size of 1 MB and prevents any unauthorized user to take sensitive data from your PC. The tool blocks only the USB storage devices and all your other USB devices like wireless, mouse, etc will work fine.
3] BitDefender USB Immunizer Tool
This is a USB immune tool which immunizes both SD card as well as the USB storage devices against the unwanted crapware. The tool prevents malware to run its autorun.inf file on your PC. You can, however, turn the autorun feature On or Off as per requirement. Remember that if you accidentally use any infected USB drive which has not been immunized, it may infect your PC.
4] Panda USB Vaccine
This tool as the name suggests is a utility that prevents malware infections on your computer systems. The tool offers two types of vaccinations: USB Drive Vaccination and Computer Vaccination. This tool lets users disable the autorun feature completely on their PCs so that no malware can enter through the infected USB storage devices.
5] USB Secure Utilities
As the name suggests is an app that helps to protect your USB drive. It is a portable app that scans and disinfects your USB drive of viruses if any. The tool uses Apart from removing the malware, this tool also helps in secure backups and managing the files. It does three different kinds of analysis to detect and remove the malware from your USB device.
6] USB Safeguard
USB Safeguard tool lets a user lock any USB storage device and make it write-protected. It actually protects your data stored in the USB device and prevents data theft in case you misplace your storage device. Users can also password-protect their storage devices using USB Safeguard. It encrypts the data stored using the AES 256 bits encryption algorithm. There is also a Pro version of USB Safeguard available which offers some extra features.
7] KASHU USB Flash Security
KASHU USB Flash Security tool helps you password protect your USB device. The tool encrypts all your data stored in the device using the AES 256-bit encryption. Before you encrypt your device, make sure to take the backup of your data. You need to download and install the tool on your PC. While it is a free tool but the free version works only up to 4GB USB devices.
8] USB Disabler
USB Disabler is a simple yet powerful tool that helps a user to enable or disable their USB storage devices. Users can also password-protect their USB devices and make them read-only devices where anyone can only read the contents stored in the device. Users can turn everything back to normal just by Resetting their USB device.
9] Phrozen Safe USB
Phrozen Safe USB helps you handle the USB drives in three different ways- the Fully operational mode which means the drive is open for all kinds of usage, Read-Only Mode which means the user can only read the contents of the USB device but cannot modify, copy or delete it. The third mode is the Disabled mode where the USB device is disabled completely and won’t even be detected on your Windows PC. The Disabled mode is a stealth mode and the user can turn it On or Off when required.
10] USB Disk Security
USB Disk Security includes features like USB Shield which monitors your computer for any unwanted program like a virus, USB Scan which scans your USB device when plugged into the PC, password protect the device which encrypts the data stored in the device. Overall, it prevents Safe Web Navigation and Data Loss Prevention from your USB device.
You may also want to have a look at these free useful tools for your USB Drive:
- USBDriveFresher: Junk file and folder cleaner for USB Drives
- Desktop Media: Automatically adds and removes the shortcut to a USB drive on Desktop
- RemoveDrive: A free command-line tool to safely remove USB devices
- Dropout: A portable search tool for USB drives and Dropbox folder
- Keep a track of who used a USB Device on your Windows PC with USBLogView
- Prevent unauthorized use of USB and other removable media with NetWrix USB Blocker
- Restrict USB access to Windows 10 computer with Ratool
- USB Manager is a Windows freeware to manage Portable Devices
- USB Repair Tools to help you fix external drive errors.
- Write protect USB Flash drives with USB Write Protect.
This is our list of tools which can protect your USB drive from Virus and provide a better security solution.
Go through the list and see which of them actually suits your needs and requirements.