System and method for detection and treatment of malware on data storage devices

A computer-based system for detection and repair of malware on data storage devices, the system comprising:

• a communication interface for connecting an external data storage device;
• a memory storing an antivirus software;
• and
• a controller coupled to the communication interface and the memory, the controller being configured to:
• store a backup copy of at least a portion of the data contained on the external data storage device to the memory;
• scan the data contained in the data storage device using the antivirus software;
• perform by the antivirus software repair or removal of one or more malicious files or programs found on the data storage device;
• if one or more files or programs are corrupted during at least one of said scanning, repairing and removing, replace by the antivirus software at least a portion of corrupted data in the data storage device with the backup copy stored in the memory of the processing device;
• identify one or more suspicious files or programs found on the data storage device and one or more malicious files or programs that cannot be repaired or removed from the data storage device by the antivirus software;
• send information about the suspicious files or programs and malicious files or programs that cannot be repaired or removed to an antivirus software provider;
• receive updates for the antivirus software from the antivirus software provider;
• and
• rescan at least the suspicious files or programs and malicious files or programs that cannot be repaired or removed by an updated antivirus software.

A computer program product embedded in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for detection and repair of malware on data storage devices, the medium comprising instructions for:

• connect an external data storage device to a processing device;
• store a backup copy of at least a portion of the data contained on the external data storage device to a memory of the processing device;
• scan the data contained in the data storage device using antivirus software deployed on the processing device;
• perform by the antivirus software repair or removal of one or more malicious files or programs found on the data storage device;
• if one or more files or programs are corrupted during at least one of said scanning, repairing and removing, replace by the antivirus software at least a portion of corrupted data in the data storage device with the backup copy stored in the memory of the processing device;
• identify one or more suspicious files or programs found on the data storage device and one or more malicious files or programs that cannot be repaired or removed from the data storage device by the antivirus software;
• send information about the suspicious files or programs and malicious files or programs that cannot be repaired or removed to an antivirus software provider;
• receive updates for the antivirus software from the antivirus software provider;
• and
• rescan at least the suspicious files or programs and malicious files or programs that
• cannot be repaired or removed by an updated antivirus software.