i. Six Possible Threats to the PC from a Virus-Infected USB Drive:
1.Corruption or Deletion of Data & Files: The virus can overwrite, corrupt, or permanently delete documents, media, and program files.
2.Boot Sector Damage: Boot-sector viruses can overwrite the Master Boot Record (MBR), preventing the operating system from booting.
3.File Replication & Shortcut Creation: Viruses/worms can hide original folders, replace them with malicious .exe/.lnk shortcuts, and self-replicate until disk space is exhausted.
4.System Slowdown & Resource Exhaustion: Malicious background processes consume CPU cycles and RAM, causing severe system lag and frequent crashes.
5.Theft of Confidential Information: Spyware or Trojans carried on the USB drive can steal saved passwords, financial records, and personal files.
6.Propagation Across Connected Networks: Once inside the PC, the malware can spread to shared drives and other computers on the local network.
ii. Preventive Steps to Avoid Virus Infection:
1.Install & Update Antivirus Software: Keep real-time antivirus protection and virus definitions up to date.
2.Scan External Drives Before Opening: Always scan any newly connected USB flash drive with antivirus software before accessing its files.
3.Disable AutoRun / Avoid Double-Clicking: Disable USB AutoRun and open drives via the folder tree rather than double-clicking the root icon.
4.Maintain Regular Backups & OS Updates: Keep offline/cloud backups of critical files and install operating system security patches promptly.