Disable AutoRun and Autoplay
AutoRun is a default fealture of Windows and enables media and devices to launch programs using commands listed in "autorun.inf", stored in the medium's root directory. AutoPlay was introduced in Windows XP. This function searches media and launches the appropriate application to play or display the content. If available, settings in an autorun.inf file can add to the options presented to the user. Malware creators love Autorun and AutoPlay because it is difficult to disable and easy to exploit
Thanks to Nick Brown we have an easy way for all Windows XP and Vista users to disable AutoRun and AutoPlay via a minor Windows Registry change. You should also use secure USB Flash Drives whenever possible. Complete manual instructions are on his blog. Here is a simple download based on his work that you can unzip and run to appy the fix.
AutoRun is a default fealture of Windows and enables media and devices to launch programs using commands listed in "autorun.inf", stored in the medium's root directory. AutoPlay was introduced in Windows XP. This function searches media and launches the appropriate application to play or display the content. If available, settings in an autorun.inf file can add to the options presented to the user. Malware creators love Autorun and AutoPlay because it is difficult to disable and easy to exploit
Thanks to Nick Brown we have an easy way for all Windows XP and Vista users to disable AutoRun and AutoPlay via a minor Windows Registry change. You should also use secure USB Flash Drives whenever possible. Complete manual instructions are on his blog. Here is a simple download based on his work that you can unzip and run to appy the fix.
- Download this free zip file: DisableAuto 0.2 (Softpedia)
- Unzip the file. It contains a
reg filecalleddisableauto.reg - Double-click on the Reg file to modify the Registry
- Reboot Windows. AutoPlay and AutoRun should now be disabled. However, you can still access and run all your media manually
Testing Your Defenses
Want to make sure AutoRun and AutoPlay are disabled? ComputerWorld's Michael Horowitz has published a very simple test you can perform using your USB drive to make sure your AutoRun and AutoPlay functions are disabled.
Posted in: Computer tricks
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