Free tool prevents AutoRun-based malware

Endpoint Protector launched the free AutoRun Disable tool, a solution designed to prevent malware infections spread through USB ports and other computer interfaces and which require the malicious software to start and run automatically once connected to the infected unit.

The tool was designed to stop worms such as Conficker/Stuxnet, which take advantage of unsecured USB ports and lack of portable device control to spread out and infect as many computers as possible.

What AutoRun Disable does is allow computer users to disable the possibly dangerous AutoRun feature of Windows (XP, Vista, 7). The major benefit is that it does not disable the feature for all devices, as the tool takes action selectively based on device types (USB and other removable devices, CD/DVD, internal or network drives) or specific drive letters.

For example, a user can deny permission to the AutoRun function of USB portable devices and allow it for the CD/DVD drive.