Comments for Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

Comment from snail on 2009-11-12

2009-11-13T04:34:13Z

A few things I want to address: when opening folders(even the drive itself) would the display(thumbnails) be executing any files in order to display their visual snippets?
Also as far as moving to a Unix OS to then inspect, especially on a system that contains your system(as in either the LiveBoot or DualBoot option used on the same system holding your hard drive with your OS(Windows or Mac or Linux), your risk of exposure is still present. For instance, suppose you downloaded a Linux virus, a Mac virus, and a Windows virus. How would you know, anyway? Well, by entering a system, any one of these viruses could passively infect any of your operating systems *(whether executed in a user-negligent action(copying all and pasting) or unforeseen dangers like embedded viruses within pictures)
*I'm not sure if a LiveCD/LiveFlashDrive OS would be susceptible to viruses because of its relatively fixed state of system ~employment.
Dual boot options are double the risk in that one file inadvertently may corrupt the other OS's you use.

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A comment on: Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

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Comment from Sharon on 2007-02-12

2007-02-12T16:45:25Z

Four years ago I bought a HP at OfficeMax. Cost $799.99 plus tax and then I also wanted to be on the safe side and got the MaxAssurance.
Well, about a year and a half ago I started having small problems with my computer and they sent a person (I though he was certified, NOT) to my house to check out my computer and fix the problem.
The last time he came was about a week before my contract ran out.
I was having graphic problems, the screen was off set and it was only happening at start up.
They started to "fix" my problems and it wasn't working.
I believed then and do now that it was a program I put on my computer was at fault.
I didn't know what program it was so I let him "work his whatever".
They put in a "new" motherboard and set a "new"
monitor.
Neither fixed the problem and they said that I was on my own.
They refused to fix what was wrong with my computer and when they did that, my monitor was shipped to me with scratches on it and the computer was coming up with Compaq on the screen, off set.
I decided to just put the windows xp back on the computer to just get rid of all the problems. (they would not come back and fix what they had messed up and would not fix the problems with my computer because they said that my contract had run out!!)
When I tried to re-load my computer, I am now getting I can not get into the darn thing because I believe the motherboard is not the original one and the program will not load.
I am stuck with a computer I paid (with tax and insurance cost) $1000.00 and can't use!
Anyone help at all PLEASE

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A comment on: Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

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Comment from Lucian on 2007-02-10

2007-02-10T20:37:26Z

I think the best way is to have antivirus software monitor on the computer where you add/mount the drive with the virus. The antivirus software will block access to the infected file.

But you can add it too without antivirus software installed, if you know exactly what files are infected, if you don't execute them, the risk for your computer is minimal.

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A comment on: Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

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Comment from mark on 2007-02-07

2007-02-07T23:38:13Z

A similar method to the one posted above is to attach the drive, and then access it via Linux, either through a live CD or a machine that actually has it installed. Same principle as the Mac; viruses for windows tend to not cross over much.

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A comment on: Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

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Comment from Betty on 2007-02-07

2007-02-07T21:28:57Z

I always suggest connecting such a drive to a MAC. Most Mac's can't get the same version of viruses as PCs so it's safe to collect your files AFTER you've run a thorough scan to be sure those files are not damaged. Then you can reformat the disc using the Mac to completely and utterly erase the problem. Then put it back into your PC and reformat again and you'll definitely be rid of the problem.

The whole reason we have kept my husband's 8 year old Mac is for problems like this

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A comment on: Is it safe to connect a drive infected with a virus to my computer?

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