★ Securing your files | Removing a virus | Recovering

We have encountered faculty members and students who have lost their files due to computer viruses. 

Free Antivirus

To protect yourself, be sure to install an Antivirus on your computer and always keep it updated.  Some free Antivirus Software maybe more powerful than licensed ones.  During our Technology Week on November 2009, I purchased licenses for Kaspersky Antivirus (KAV) and Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS).  However, a computer rental store still detected a virus on my USB.  The store was using a free antivirus called Avast!  I researched on the internet and read what technology journalists like Leo LaPorte was recommending. ^*  He said that commercial antiviruses are bloated.  They slow down your computer.  I experienced this first-hand on using Kaspersky.  LaPorte endorsed free antivirus like Eset NOD and AVG.

I tried using AVG free.  However, late last year, 2011, an update by AVG affected the Windows XP on our Notebook Computer.  We haven't been able to use our Notebook since then.  A Windows Security feature prevents me from using Recovery Discs and external drives to bypass my hard disk.

Our technicians at the HEU LMC Audio-Visual have been using Avast! Free and they highly recommend it. 

You may try it by downloading from:

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

After installing, Avast! Free will check and update itself every time you go online.

Manually Removing the Virus that Recycles Itself

You need to unhide RECYCLER before deleting it.  Here is a step by step procedure of how to reveal the hidden file so you can delete it.  The following (Steps 1-3) was shared by Mark Allan P. Moaje from the HEU CAS Department of Communications (thanks Mark).

Step 1:                                                                                                               

·  Go to Start Menu > Run                                                                                                                                        

·  Type cmd (cmd stands for command prompt)

·  Press Enter key

Step 2:

·  Type cd.. cd..

·         Then Type J: <note: for example J: is the location of your usb>

·         Hit Enter

·          

Step 3:

·  Type attrib –h –a –r –s RECYCLER

·  Hit Enter.

Step 4:

Type Exit to go back to Windows.

Right-Click the Windows Start button and click Explore (Windows Vista) or Use Windows Explorer (Windows 7).  Find your drive, say Drive J: and single-click, to select RECYCLER.  On your keyboard, hold down SHIFT and press Delete.  This procedure will permanently delete RECYCLER. 

Recovering the Files you Lost

Finally to recover your files, you may download and install this free portable application.

AnyFound Photo Recovery:

http://www.pendriveapps.com/free-photo-recovery-software-anyfound/

Yes, this was designed to recover lost photos on a Memory Card.  However I have been able to use this in recovering other types of files for our users here at the AV Satellite Office.