Expert: Lorry - 2/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: hi lorry,
 from what i understand, malware can spread via files between infected pc's because there's memory involved.  so curiously, what if things like ethernet cables, usb cords, and even ac adaptors are shared between computers?  since these theoreticaly have no memory in them, can they transfer malware?  or am i wrong?  thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Jacky,

Yes, a virus and/or other threat may be spread by the ways you mentioned. The best thing to do is to keep the anti-virus program up to date and run a scan once a week - after the program is updated.

It is interesting that you asked this question today as I received the CNET newsletter regarding something similar.

Please help! I cannot access my external drive.
Hi, I really need help with this problem! 18 months ago I bought a WD external hard drive to run with my desktop computer and laptop, both run XP. At first both machines recognised the drive as soon as I would plug the usb in, although with a warning that it would run at lower performance because my usb ports were not 2.0 ports but that was okay. I wanted it to put all my music, photos, data files etc on, to save storage on my computers, so I would plug it in and when it would ask me what I wanted to do I just select 'view files and folders' (after I had saved all my music, photos, documents etc to it) or otherwise would transfer things onto it.

The past few months when I have plugged it in, my computers go through reading that there is a device, trying to open it, and I see the grey rectangular box with those green squares going left to... Read more

-- Submitted by: Virginia T.  
 
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Hope this helps!
Lorry




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks lorry!
 wow i had absolutely no idea!  since malware can spread via such methods, how does it then?  is it because there's memory in the cables and via some other method?  it does seem weird that even an ac adaptor can spread malware.  thank you!

Answer
Hi Jacky,

The following sites explain it better than I could:

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/usb-flash-virus-secure,6564.html

http://ask-leo.com/does_leaving_my_external_hard_drive_connected_put_its_content

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6008660_can-virus-transferred-external-drives_.html

Hope this helps!
Lorry