USB antivirus software detects and blocks threats from infected external devices such as jump drives or external hard drives. It scans files on the device and prevents malware from entering the system. Some programs quarantine suspicious threats for investigation, while others automatically remove them. It’s important to keep the software updated, and free options are available for basic protection.
USB antivirus software is a type of antivirus protection software that helps minimize the potential for malicious attacks on systems through the use of some sort of external drive or device. Software of this type helps identify and block threats that can be introduced via infected files found on a jump drive or external hard drive. If the infected device can be connected to the computer via a universal serial bus or USB cable, the software will detect the infection and take measures to contain it.
The actual function of USB antivirus software is similar to the protections offered by antivirus protection programs that monitor the activity occurring on a hard drive. When installed correctly, the software will activate whenever a remote device such as a jump or thumb drive or external hard drive is connected to the system via a USB port. The software usually runs in the background once the connection is established, scanning all files found on the external device. If computer viruses or other threats such as spyware are detected on the external device, the software will prevent the malware from entering the system and possibly infecting the hard drive.
Depending on the configuration of the USB antivirus software, the program may automatically contain suspicious threats and allow the user to scan them before permanently removing them. This approach often requires infected files and suspicious viruses to be quarantined during the security scan, thereby providing the user with the ability to investigate any suspected infections. From there, the user can choose to ignore the suspected threat and use the files, or have the software clean the files and remove the threats. Other USB antivirus software programs are set up to automatically update and scan for threats and remove them as and as they are detected.
As with any type of antivirus protection, it’s important to keep your USB antivirus software up to date. Most programs will allow updates to be downloaded automatically whenever the program is activated. Many of the programs can be configured to check for updates on a recurring basis, such as every day at a certain time of day. In addition to the paid programs that provide a wider range of protections, you can also download free USB antivirus software that will provide basic protection for residential users who routinely use pen drives and external drives and even download files from devices such as digital cameras using a USB cable and port.
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