Whit is Link Runner virus ?

Arc · 25 Jan 2012

My laptop (very occasionally connects to the web) got a virus called link:Runner by avast freeware. I scanned with malwarebytes, too! Everything is scanned and deleted. Still, whenever a pendrive is attached to it, it gets such stuffs , instantly !

Few days ago, a professor came from outside to deliver some lectures. I took some useful documents from his laptop using a pendrive, and attached that back in the laptop, and the story started.

Is there any way to get rid of it, or I am to go for a clean install ?

Corrine · 25 Jan 2012

Hi, Arc.

It appears that autorun.inf has not been disabled on the pen drive. Two options are Panda USB Vaccine, or BitDefender’s USB Immunizer which can be used to protect your computer from any infected USB device.

A similar tool is install dr_Bora's MCShield::Anti-Malware Tool::. This tool will block the autorun.inf, preventing any transferred infected files from automatically opening on your computer. It includes a signature scan.

You should also specifically scan the pen drive with your antivirus software.

Arc · 25 Jan 2012

Corrine, after getting this one for the first time, I scanned the entire laptop with Avast free and MBAM, which killed all the infected files. Now the scans say that there is no threat in the laptop. Still, whenever and whatever pendrive connected to it, it generates these files in it automatically.

I full formatted a pen drive and reattached it there, got the same thing . When the same pendrive is connected to my desktop, everything is being killed automatically, and it appears to be totally free from anything.

I will use the vaccines those you have suggested, thanks a lot

But what to do with the source of the trouble, I mean the laptop ?

Arc · 25 Jan 2012

Well, I just decided to do a fresh install there, as Carl said that it is a fun !

Just did the vaccination, after formatting it. Nothing is appearing there anymore

Thanks again for it, Corrine !

Corrine · 25 Jan 2012

Arc,

I'm glad you got the problem resolved. I'm thinking that since you were having the problem only on the laptop which is seldom connected to the Internet, it is possible it was behind on updates and did not have the KB that turned off autorun installed.

Arc · 26 Jan 2012

Corrine said:

Arc,

I'm glad you got the problem resolved. I'm thinking that since you were having the problem only on the laptop which is seldom connected to the Internet, it is possible it was behind on updates and did not have the KB that turned off autorun installed.

That's a very good point

I have reinstalled it already ..... and got all the updates there.

Asking one more question, if I connect a vaccinated pendrive to an affected computer (sometimes it becomes urgent

and I dont know which one is affected or not) is it still risky to connect the pendrive back to my laptop ? I have installed Avast and MBAM there.

Corrine · 26 Jan 2012

In the event malware infects the pendrive, having autorun.inf disabled will prevent the malware from automatically running on your laptop. However, it is incumbent on you to scan any files you are transferring to ensure they are clean before opening them on your laptop.

Arc · 26 Jan 2012

When attaching a drive, there is an option "scan and fix", but that time it went faster, the malware indication came faster than the scan and fix dialog !

As you are saying, I hope disabling autoruns will prevent malwares to open automatically :)

If it occurs once again, I will ask you again for suggestions . This is the first time such a thing happened to me.