It's fun to share photos and files with relatives and others when you’re visiting. It’s a great way to share memories and catch up on what everybody’s been doing. But just because you know the person doesn’t mean that person knows whether the handy USB drive they handed you contains malware. Or whether that camera card contains something other than family reunion pictures.
Infected USB flash drives and other removable media are one of the more common ways that malware spreads. In fact, in some cases, you don’t even have to open the portable drive — simply inserting it or connecting it to your computer will infect your machine. Here are a few reminders:
- Always decline any request from anyone who wants to connect a USB or portable device to your laptop or phone — no matter how sincere the request seems
- Never use USB drives or software received as gifts or promotional items — even well-known, highly reputable companies have unknowingly distributed infected drives
- If you are going to share with friends or family, make sure that you have antimalware protection in place
Want to be sure? Install ESET Smart Security Premium on your computer and you can protect it from being infected by malware carried on portable drives handed to you by others.
Take these precautions and make sure the only things you’re sharing are good times and great memories.