Expert: Lorry - 12/25/2009

Question
sorry if you received an question with a similar email. i type my email wrong before.

Can virus affect your motherboard and usb flash drives?
1:If my usb flash drive which has important files is connected to my pc when its affected with virus (trojan worms, key-loggers, etc...) can it be affected as well?

2: Also can my motherboard be affected as well?

3: what if my pc is already affected with virus and then i install my usb flash drive, will my usb stick be affect?

Answer
Hi Chris,

The answer to the three questions are yes, yes and yes. To check for viruses and/or other threats, do the following:

Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

Click "Continue to Symantec Security Check", in the next window click No when asked if you want to close this window, that will bring you to a window where you should click Virus Detection.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

I would also suggest downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware  from:

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

Check for updates after downloading Malwarebytes before running a scan.

Once the computer is free of any threats, am assuming that you have an anti-virus program installed, update and then run a scan on the flash drive.

Hope this helps!
Lorry