can u get a virus from a usb memory stick

[bronners]

is it possible to get a virus from a memory stick ie transferring files from one pc to another T.I.A. for any answers

[squarebear]

It depends what these files are. If you are transferring virus ridden files to your PC then yes.

A memory stick is just a device that stores data. They can store harmless data as well as viruses.

[WhiteBear]

i agree with my cousin squarebear lol....

yes you can get a virus from a memory stick. just becareful not to transfer files that contains virus on to it.

[ChuckFickens]

I would answer and agree with both above, but I'm not a bear so feel I can't.

[bronners]

thought as much thanks for confirming my suspicions,i asked for a friend thinks he may have got a virus via his girlfriends mobile phone pictures via her pc many thanks again

[squarebear]

You can't get a virus from picture files but it depends on what else she transferred on the memory stick.

Always good to see you Chuck. You can be an honorary bear.

[bronners]

so even if u only transfer the pictures if theres a virus on the stick u can still tfansfer it is that correct

[squarebear]

I don't see how.

Say the memory stick contained these files:

girlfriend.jpg
Me_at_home.jpg
virus.exe

and you transferred the first two, the second wouldn't come into play.

The best thing to do is for your friend get a free virus checker. Something like AVG will do. Google AVG for a link. Once installed, do a full scan and this should clear any nasties.

[bronners]

he uses avast same as i do which ive always found very good.think we sussed his problem tho a thing called kservices.exe its some kind of p2p thing used by sky ch4 bbc that keeps running even after youve exited what youve been watching apparently,and slows youre pc down.

[Ice.Maiden]

I know next to nothing about computers, but followed instructions on how to take out and save the files i needed, and they'll be put back tomorrow. once you've saved what you need, I understand that everything has to be scanned before being put back - with your browser off. The free home edition of AVG's very good, and I also use Ad-Aware and Spybot s & D. It's important to do regular scans - so I'm told!! x

[scaniavabis]

squarebear, if you thing you can't get a virus from picture files you're going to get a nasty surprise one day. jpegs are one of the most common file formats to contain a virus, ask anyone with MS Office. If you're unsure of an answer then that's fine but say so. To give completely the wrong answer helps no-one

[another-view]

http://www.vmyths.com/hoax.cfm_id=95&page=3.ht m

[another-view]

JPEGS do not have viruses. They can cause buffer overruns but that's it. Ignore this fool square.

[scaniavabis]

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/article s/2002/06/va_perrun.html

[another-view]

That link is 6 years old. It was patched LOOOONG ago.
You might as well be warning us of a new disease called "Black Death"

[scaniavabis]

What's it matter if it's 6 yrs old, the picture file or the computer might be that old also. I have loads of files (pictures included) that are older than that. It doesn't alter the fact that a jpeg can contain a virus. I'm in business and I don't know any company that will permit jpegs in an email. I have to send pictures to Holland daily to several different companies and not one of them will accept a jpeg, I have to convert them to pdf's before they will accept. These people are vast corporations who pay unbelievable amounts to protect their systems but they're all wrong apparently!

[camioneur]

rock on scanny, you tell 'em. I reckon you're dead right. I don't know any business' that will accept a jpeg in an email. I've seen stacks of warnings about this and some of them quite recently.

Anyway, another view, your link is 4 years old

[another-view]

You don't know of any business that will accept a jpeg? Jeez, you guys are living in the dark ages. Does no-one patch their systems any more?

[camioneur]

you're missing the point I think, I run Vista and it's updated automatically, I'm sure Scanny is too because we work together sometimes but it still doesn't mean I can send a jpeg in an email. So according to your logic, we're in the dark ages with brand new equipment. Furthermore, the most innovative transport companies in Europe are all in the dark ages too! No wonder your fruit and veg is going up at Asda and the like

[camioneur]

hey bronners, sorry about hijacking your post . looks like you have a choice anyway, listen to the guy who says your trousers won't fall down if you loose weight or listen to the guy who says get yourself a belt just in case they do. One outcome could cause severe embarrassment, the other won't I think!

[another-view]

Hey if you choose to not accept jpegs in your email system then that's up to you. I deal with hundreds of companies and not one does the same as you.

Do you still throw stones in the air every time an aeroplane flies overhead to scare the big iron bird away?