Need Advice Making sure that USB stick is safe

[RXZ6Q]

Hello. I just received a brand new USB drive from AliExpress. I highly doubt that they packed some zeroday rootkit with it I already scanned it with 4 (or more) antiviruses. Including my primary AV - and that is Kaspersky Internet Security 2020 with almost maxed out settings (Application Control is on). Every scan came out completely clean. I also performed a complete format (not the quick one). My question is, what more can I do to ensure that using the USB stick is safe?

 

[Ink]

• Always purchase goods from a trusted seller.
• Read the reviews.
• Check the original packaging has not been tampered, or re-packaged.

Then again..

IBM warns of malware on USB drives shipped to customers

IBM said some flash drives for Storewize initialisation should be destroyed because they may contain Trojan malware.

www.zdnet.com

United States government-funded phones come pre-installed with unremovable malware | Malwarebytes Labs

A US-funded government assistance program is selling budget-friendly mobile phones that come pre-installed with unremovable malicious apps. Malwarebytes Labs investigates the malware's origins.

blog.malwarebytes.com

My question is, what more can I do to ensure that using the USB stick is safe?

Don't be paranoid.

 

[SumTingWong]

Purchase brand new stick. Best to get from a local stores like BestBuy and such. Never buy unknown brand. Never buy used.

 

[RXZ6Q]

Purchase brand new stick. Best to get from a local stores like BestBuy and such. Never buy unknown brand. Never buy used.

Well, some sellers just resell stuff they literally just ordered from China via AliExpress or similar service and they present it as brand new and totally reputable stuff. It's pretty common where I live. BTW I really love your name

 

[RXZ6Q]

• Always purchase goods from a trusted seller.
• Read the reviews.
• Check the original packaging has not been tampered, or re-packaged.

Then again..

IBM warns of malware on USB drives shipped to customers

IBM said some flash drives for Storewize initialisation should be destroyed because they may contain Trojan malware.

www.zdnet.com

United States government-funded phones come pre-installed with unremovable malware | Malwarebytes Labs

A US-funded government assistance program is selling budget-friendly mobile phones that come pre-installed with unremovable malicious apps. Malwarebytes Labs investigates the malware's origins.

blog.malwarebytes.com

Don't be paranoid.

Your last quote just says it all. I should include this in my original post. It's just me being paranoid.

In the article, they say that: "Storewize initialisation tool is launched from the drive."

So formating and scanning the stick should be enough. But I'm not just paranoid. I'm also curious if there is some other chance to get infected just by plugging it into a computer and if it can be prevented.

 

[shmu26]

I just received a few flash drives from Aliexpress, too. Reformatting is a good idea for the paranoid, but there is still a small, invisible partition that will remain. I am not worried about it personally. But the Pentagon shouldn't order flash drives from Aliexpress. LOL

 

[struppigel]

The most common infections on USB flash drives are either LNK worms or actual viruses (in the sense of file infectors) attached to files on the drive. Both of those infection types are removed via reformatting the drive which you already did. I think your USB flash drive has right now a higher risk to become infected by another computer than to infect any of your systems.

 

[RXZ6Q]

I just received a few flash drives from Aliexpress, too. Reformatting is a good idea for the paranoid, but there is still a small, invisible partition that will remain. I am not worried about it personally. But the Pentagon shouldn't order flash drives from Aliexpress. LOL

Best reply, actually. Actually made me laugh, thanks !