Introduction:
The shortcut virus, often known as the 1 KB shortcut virus, is a notorious Trojan that spreads through USB drives, wreaking havoc by converting folders into shortcuts. These shortcuts may appear harmless but can unleash malicious scripts when clicked. In this guide, we’ll explain what the shortcut virus is and provide detailed steps on how to remove it effectively without compromising your data.
Understanding the Shortcut Virus
The shortcut virus is a malware strain that primarily targets USB drives and external storage devices. Its modus operandi involves deleting folders from the root directory of the USB drive and replacing them with malicious shortcuts. These shortcuts often have file extensions like .EXE, .VBS, .LNK, and .INI. When you unwittingly click on these shortcuts, the virus activates and operates in the background, compromising your system’s security.
How to Remove the Shortcut Virus
Here are three proven methods to remove the shortcut virus and restore your device to normalcy:
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
- Connect the infected external drive to your PC and note the drive letter assigned to it.
2. Open the Run box by pressing Win + R, type “cmd,” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the drive letter (e.g., E:) followed by a colon and press Enter.
4. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
del *.lnk
attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.*Note: If this method doesn’t work, replace “.lnk” with another virus extension like “.exe, .vbs and .ini” in the first command.
Method 2: Creating a BAT File
- Plug in your USB drive or external storage device and create a new Notepad file on your desktop.
- Copy and paste the following code into the Notepad file:
@echo off
for %%i in (*.lnk) do (
attrib -s -r -h "%%i" /s /d /l
)
@echo completeReplace “G” with the drive letter of your infected device if it’s different.
- Save the Notepad file with a “.bat” extension (e.g., “RemoveShortcut.bat“).
- Double-click the .bat file on your desktop and wait for the process to finish. This will remove the shortcut virus from your drive.
Method 3: Removing Suspicious Registry Keys
- Open the Run box by pressing Win + R, type “regedit,” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Run.”
- Look for and delete suspicious keys like “odwcamszas,” “WXXKYz,” “ZGFYszaas,” and “OUzzckky.”
Bonus Tip: Protect Your Windows 10 PC
To prevent future infections on your Windows 10 PC, enable the firewall:
- Open the Control Panel and click on “Windows Defender Firewall.”
- Choose “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.“
- Check the “Turn on Windows Defender Firewall” option and press “OK” to confirm.
Conclusion:
The shortcut virus may be persistent, but armed with the knowledge and these effective removal methods, you can safeguard your data and PC. Always stay vigilant, enable your firewall, and be cautious when using external devices or downloading files. By following these steps, you can keep your system secure and free from the grip of the shortcut virus.
FAQ
Is shortcut virus harmful?
Yes, the shortcut virus is harmful. It is a type of malware that can infect USB drives and external storage devices, converting folders into shortcuts. These shortcuts may seem harmless but can execute malicious scripts when clicked, compromising your system’s security and potentially causing data loss or other harm. It’s essential to remove the shortcut virus to safeguard your data and PC.
Does a shortcut virus spread?
Yes, a shortcut virus can spread to other devices when infected USB drives or external storage devices are connected to them. When the infected external drive is plugged into a clean device, the virus can transfer to that device, potentially causing folders to turn into shortcuts on the newly infected device as well. This is how shortcut viruses can spread from one device to another.
Which antivirus can remove shortcut virus?
Several reputable antivirus software programs can effectively remove shortcut viruses. Some well-known options include:
Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes is a widely used antivirus tool known for its effectiveness in detecting and removing various types of malware, including shortcut viruses.
Avast: Avast is another popular antivirus software that can detect and eliminate shortcut viruses from your system.
Bitdefender: Bitdefender is a robust antivirus solution that can effectively handle shortcut viruses and other malware threats.
Norton: Norton Antivirus is known for its comprehensive malware protection, including the removal of shortcut viruses.
Kaspersky: Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a reliable choice for removing shortcut viruses and providing overall system security.
Remember that the effectiveness of antivirus software may vary depending on the specific variant of the shortcut virus and the antivirus program’s virus definition updates. It’s essential to keep your antivirus software up to date for the best protection against malware, including shortcut viruses.