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Table of Contents
Method #1: Using USB FIXMethod #2: Using Visual Basic Coded Script
Method #3: Using Command Prompt
Method #4: Using .bat Coded File
Method #5: Registry Cleaning
Method #6: Configuration Tweaking
Method #7: Using Shortcut Virus Remover
- Method #1: Using USB FIX
USB Fix – All-In-One Solution to Removing Shortcut Virus from USB, HDD & PC !
Image: usbfix.com
UsbFix is a free malware removal tool to will help you to detect and remove shortcut virus. It can scan infected removable devices, USB’s external HDD’s, smartphones, digital cameras, etc.- And here’s the kicker:
With over 5 Million downloads, it is one of the most trusted software to remove shortcut virus. Also, it is designed in a user-friendly UI which will help you get things done easily and faster. The size of the software too, is quite small (approx. 4 MB) which will run and help you get rid of the shortcut virus instantly.
- Some of the key features of USBFix include:
- Vaccinate: Permanent solution for the shortcut virus. This option will create a new autorun.inf file in your removable drive. An autorun file handles the auto-starting of the drive. So, the newly created file will have protective measures to prevent the shortcut virus.
- Repair: It repairs the damaged files of your removable drives. This will help in the recovery of hidden files, registry entries, task manager, etc
- Back-Up: You can backup your files before running UsbFix to revert things back later if something goes wrong.
Steps to Remove Shortcut Virus Using USBFIX
- Download USBFIX.
- Connect your USB drive / External HDD drive which contains the shortcut virus.
- Run USBFIX software.
- Click on “Deletion“. On clicking it, the process to remove shortcut virus will start. It will then ask you to restart your PC.
Image: usbfix.com
DOWNLOAD USB FIX
Click Here
Method #2
Kill USB Shortcut Virus with VBScript File!
It can even go to limit of infecting the C: Drive of your PC and locking you out of it.
To prevent this before it happens, here’s the solution:
A VBScript File coded to scan all infected drives, find out the virus and delete it.
And all these things are done within 30 seconds.
Actually, a VBScript is a Visual Basic Script that commands the PC to do certain tasks according to the code in it. In this case, it is directed to remove shortcut virus completely from your system.
So, it’s not a software. It’s just a script. The code for removing shortcut virus is already precoded in a way to delete shortcut virus from your PC.
All you need to do is, download the script, run it. It’ll automatically start doing things on it’s own.
A dialog box will pop up, asking you to click “OK” and again disappear for some moments, appear again. The same procedure for about 4-5 times.
So, all you need to is, run the script and you’re all set!
Method #3
Remove Shortcut Virus using CMD
It’s better not to completely rely on a single method to remove it. Can’t say, if it goes for temporary period and jumps in again!
So, here’s another way to do it: Removing Shortcut Virus using CMD.
CMD, acronym for Command Prompt, is a command-line interpreter for Windows. It’s a sort of compiler which processes your commands giving you an output (in this case, it is finding out and cleaning shortcut virus).
Steps to Remove Shortcut Virus Using CMD
- Plug your USB drive in PC.
- Open Start Menu –> Run. (To open run dialog, you can alternatively type “Win+R“). In the Run dialog box, type “cmd“.
- Copy the below code and paste it into CMD:
ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D G:*.*ORATTRIB G:*.* /D /S -H -R -S
Note
You’ll need to change the “G” letter of the code to your Pen Drive’s letter. G was just an assumption (for the above example.)
Attrib specifies the attribute (as you might have guessed it)
-H is to unhide all the files on Flash Drive (which were hidden as shortcuts due to the virus)
-R is to create the files in your Pen Drive (recreate the shortcut files retrieving the original contents)
-S makes all the file on your USB drive not to be the part of system again (which makes it easy to do the process)
G is the Assumed USB Drive’s Letter (you’ll have to change it according to your Pen Drive / External HDD drive’s letter)
Method #4
A Coded .bat File to Permanently Remove Virus
Just like the VBScript, it’s made to do certain tasks, and in our case, it’s removing the shortcut virus.
Steps to Create a .bat file
- Open a Notepad File.
- Paste the code below in it, and save it as with a .bat extension (“Save As” -> “All Files” -> .bat extension)
@echo offattrib -h -s -r -a /s /d G:*.*attrib -h -s -r -a /s /d G:*.*attrib -h -s -r -a /s /d G:*.*@echo complete
Note
Replace letter “G” with the Drive letter of infected removable drive at every instance.
Method #5
Removing Shortcut Virus from Registry
So, this method is specifically to identify the virus in registry and if present, remove it.
Steps to Remove USB Shortcut Virus from Registry
- Open “Task Manager” by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Click on the “Processes” tab, and find”Wscript.exe“. If you find it, select it and then click “End Processes“.
- Open “Run” dialog box (Win + R key), type in “regedit“. This will open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Run“. Here, look for a registry key named ” odwcamszas“, right click on it and Delete it.
Note
This doesn’t always have to be the case. If you find the virus during the steps, then the shortcut virus has affected the registry and you must follow the steps above. If not found, skip this step.
Method #6
Config Tweaking to Remove Shortcut Virus!
So, following the below steps, if you identify the virus, you can directly remove it.
Steps to Tweaking Config
- Open the Run box and type in “%temp%“. This will open the Temporary Files folder.
- Search in that folder for “nkvasyoxww.vbs“. If found, delete it.
- Again, open the Run box and type in “msconfig“. Go to Startup Tab, disable “nkvasyoxww.vbs” from there. (In Windows 8, open Task Manager, go to Startup tab, and disable “nkvasyoxww.vbs“.)
Note
Again, chances are there, that you might not find the given processes and entries. In such situations, skip this step and move onto next one.
Method #7
Shortcut Virus Remover – A Removal Tool to Get Rid of Shortcut Virus
Using this software is quite easy. Follow the on-screen instructions and you’re done!
Hint
Other freewares like Free Shortcut Remover and Shortcut Virus Fixer are also worth trying.
How to Prevent Future Injections of Shortcut Virus?
It’s quite easy for a virus to get injected and hundred times harder to remove it!This is what I’m trying to convince you about right from the beginning of this article!
It gets worse:
That same virus starts spreading all over to make you helpless and just get sick of it..
The famous proverb “Prevention is better than cure” holds true in this case well. And yes, it’s always better to protect yourself from shortcut virus instead of later banging head on the desk becoming helpless.
So, let’s start with the best ways to tackle future virus injections:
1. Using an antivirus:
If you are on a low budget or don’t want to spend for an antivirus, there are excellent free one’s out there like Avast, AVG, etc.2. Using an anti-malware:
A malware can be more destructive than a virus. Some antiviruses already contain anti-malware, but if not, you can try Malware Bytes.3. Turning off Autorun for USB Drives:
When there’s shortcut virus present in your USB Drive, autorun can spread that virus all over your PC. Thus, it’s always better to turn off autorun. If you want to know how to turn off autorun, here’s an article from Redmondpie to do it easily.The bottom line:
Protecting your device from viruses is easy but needs some regular tweakings (a scheduled PC scan, etc).
What were your reactions when you saw shortcuts in your drive for the first time? Were there any other preventive measures you took to protect your drives?
Comment below which of the methods above worked for you..
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