Protecting and sterilizing USB memory keys

[ChrisGreaves]

I am making increasing use of USB memory keys to provide PDF files to other parties. I am frightened of providing a document to, say, my friends at The Eaton Chelsea Hotel and being told that their anti-wossit software has detected a virus or a root-kit virus or one of the other scary infractions going around.
I keep Windows Defender pretty well up to date.

What application other than Windows Defender can provide me with peace of mind when “trafficking” in USB memory keys?
I do not want to damage my already-miniscule professional reputation by introducing damaging software to friends and colleagues.

It would be nice, too, to subject the memory key after it had been used on another computer!

P.SA. I am aware of this Windows Defender page on command-line formats.

Thanks in Advance

Chris

[HansV]

Malwarebytes (https://www.malwarebytes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) can scan a drive, a folder or individual files. The free version is sufficient.

[Claude]

I protect my system with Windows Defender, MalwareBytes, and Scotty looks after my startup security among other stuff.

I also pay special attention to my hosts file. I regularly add items to it, such as:

127.0.0.1 clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.clicksor.com
127.0.0.1 ads.juicyads.com
127.0.0.1 juicyads.com

Which means annoying item requests, in this sample ads or click trackers, get served sent to the land of never-never.

A simple, cheap and effective way to stop all sorts of things getting through to my computers.

[StuartR]

Reformat your USB key whenever you get it back from someone else. That won't remove all possible malware, but it certainly helps to reduce the attack surface.

[ChrisGreaves]

Malwarebytes (https://www.malwarebytes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) can scan a drive, a folder or individual files. The free version is sufficient.

Thanks Hans. I have d/l the free version.
Cheers
Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

Reformat your USB key whenever you get it back from someone else. That won't remove all possible malware, but it certainly helps to reduce the attack surface.

Thanks Suart. I usually do that, also reformat before loading it for export.
About six years ago a memory key was returnred and couldn't be reformatted. I tried several software tricks and finally disabled the virus with a pair of pliers, a hammer, and a broad-bladed flat-blade screwdriver.

Cheers
Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

... I regularly add items to it, such as: ...

Thanks Claude.
In a few days time I shall pluck up enough courage to ask if you might post your entire Hosts file for my perusal.
Otherwise I shall seek contributions from other Lounge Members as a co-operative effort (grin!)

Cheers and Thanks
Chris

[HansV]

Submerging it in Coca Cola for 24 hours would probably have worked too...

[ChrisGreaves]

Submerging it in Coca Cola for 24 hours would probably have worked too...

Hans, do you have any idea how much forty-four gallons of Coca-Cola Costs?
Cheers
Chris

[HansV]

How many USB sticks did you want to process simultaneously?

[ChrisGreaves]

How many USB sticks did you want to process simultaneously?

Oh!
The USB stick?
In that case a 250ml can of coke should be enough, right?
Cheers
Chris

[HansV]

What else were you thinking of dissolving? Yourself?

[PJ_in_FL]

... I regularly add items to it, such as: ...

Thanks Claude.
In a few days time I shall pluck up enough courage to ask if you might post your entire Hosts file for my perusal.
Otherwise I shall seek contributions from other Lounge Members as a co-operative effort (grin!)

Cheers and Thanks
Chris

This site keeps a very comprehensive (and large) HOSTS file updated with ad and malware sites blocked.

Hasn't been updated since April 15th though. Maybe the US tax man got him?

[ChrisGreaves]

What else were you thinking of dissolving? Yourself?

I aplogise Hans.
I thought that you were joking.

Seriously? Coca Cola?
Is it acidic enough to dissolve circuitry in a USB key?
(You just KNOW I'm going to try it Real Soon Now)
Cheers
Chris

[ChrisGreaves]

This site keeps a very comprehensive (and large) HOSTS file updated with ad and malware sites blocked. Hasn't been updated since April 15th though. Maybe the US tax man got him?

Thanks Claude.
I have grabbed both the web page and the hosts.zip file.
Cheers
Chris

[HansV]

Seriously? Coca Cola?
Is it acidic enough to dissolve circuitry in a USB key?

No, not really. It's one of those urban legends/internet memes that you can dissolve anything in Coca Cola.

[ChrisGreaves]

...I also pay special attention to my hosts file.

The Wiki page is especially encouraging.

Active editing and use of the Hosts file makes me feel as if I am happily downgrading my system back to pre-1983 ARPANET days (grin!)
Cheers
Chris

[HansV]

Keep in mind that having a large HOSTS file will have a negative impact on your browser speed.

I used Spybot S&D a long time ago; it maintained a huge HOSTS file (many thousands of lines). When I ditched it (for other reasons), surfing became noticeably faster.