Formatting infected USB sticks

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #1

    Formatting infected USB sticks


    I'm wondering what is the best way of formatting USB sticks which might or might not be infected. I'm looking at booting up from a Live USB (linux mint with persistence) and disconnecting the internal SSD of the computer to avoid the possibility of cross contamination. But I'm wondering If I boot off of the live USB and plug in the USB in doubt, is it not still possible contamination could cross to the live USB.
    I'm sure it's still possible to get USBs which have a read only switch but do I need to get one of these to be fully secure?

    Any thoughts on this would be appreciated
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  2. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #2

    Hi GusFG,

    GusFG said:
    I'm wondering what is the best way of formatting USB sticks which might or might not be infected. I'm looking at booting up from a Live USB (linux mint with persistence) and disconnecting the internal SSD of the computer to avoid the possibility of cross contamination. But I'm wondering If I boot off of the live USB and plug in the USB in doubt, is it not still possible contamination could cross to the live USB.
    I'm sure it's still possible to get USBs which have a read only switch but do I need to get one of these to be fully secure?
    [1] When you format a USB, everything on the USB is deleted.
    [2] Booting a Linux Live CD/USB is outside of the installed OS so I would think that you should be OK!
    [3] What you could do of course, is to change the parameter of what the OS does when a USB is inserted. For example, change it so it gives you the Autoplay box, then just Red Cross it and format the USB.

    I hope this helps!
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  3. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #3

    when a USB is inserted. For example, change it so it gives you the Autoplay box
    Paul, at work, not in front of w7pro, is that neato trick done in cntrl-pnl - autorun?
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  4. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #4

    Hi RolandJS,

    RolandJS said:
    Paul, at work, not in front of w7pro, is that neato trick done in cntrl-pnl - autorun?
    I think it is Control Panel => AutoPlay.
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  5. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #5

    aahhh, i meant autoplay :)
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  6. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Yeah I'd forgotten about the autoplay/autorun option and I'm sure LInux Mint will have this option. That puts my mind at rest which in this case would mean I wouldn't even have to disconnect the SDD/HDD of the host and could just boot off of the host OS really.

    Many thanks folks :)
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  7. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #7

    Hi GusFG,

    GusFG said:
    Yeah I'd forgotten about the autoplay/autorun option and I'm sure LInux Mint will have this option. That puts my mind at rest which in this case would mean I wouldn't even have to disconnect the SDD/HDD of the host and could just boot off of the host OS really.
    Let us know how it goes!
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  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Will do thanks
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  9. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #9

    GusFG
    Be advised that USB FlashDrives are inherently unsafe.
    The Bios is vulnerable and can be infected, your Anti-Virus, and malware detection is ineffective.
    The StuxNet Virus developed by NSA that destroyed the centrifuges in Iran was deployed by infected USB Bios.
    Bill
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Snick said:
    GusFG
    Be advised that USB FlashDrives are inherently unsafe.
    The Bios is vulnerable and can be infected, your Anti-Virus, and malware detection is ineffective.
    The StuxNet Virus developed by NSA that destroyed the centrifuges in Iran was deployed by infected USB Bios.
    Bill
    Even with the autoplay turned off?

    As regards problem PCs was thinking of using it only when SSD/HDD drives are disconnected initially when booting off the USB.

    But there will be occasions when I'd be connecting it via my own PC for updating so there is always a chance it will get infected I guess.

    Maybe we're all infected but we just don't know it
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