Can malware be transferred to external hard drive

Question

Level 1

38 points

Can malware be transferred to external hard drive

Hello,

I'm planning on buying a new computer as my current one seems to have viruses and Malware I can't get rid of. I don't want to restore my new machine from a time machine backup as I don't want the Malware to potentially get on the new computer. So I plan to manually transfer the important folders and documents via an external hard drive.

Is there a possibility that the viruses or Malware can be transferred on to the external and then over to the new computer? If this is the case, how is it possible to transfer files without having to upload them to the internet via Google Drive or Dropbox? What's the safest way to do so without transferring malicious programs to your computer?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Aug 21, 2017 7:51 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 21, 2017 8:10 PM in response to cbg2115

Hi Cbg2115:

Why don't you try to eliminate all your problems before switching over.

Download EtreCheck and post a report here.

Using EtreCheck: Using EtreCheck

Also download and run MalwareBytes. Just the free version.

MalwareBytes : Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac

Kim

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Answer 2

Aug 22, 2017 9:41 AM in response to cbg2115

Hi Cbg2115:

Sounds like you need to pick new friends.

Kim

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Answer 3

Aug 21, 2017 8:16 PM in response to cbg2115

Unless someone else has physical access to your computer, there are not many things that can infect your Mac without being obvious about it.

I second the suggestions KimUserName has made, and add that you need not Install etrecheck -- it uses standard system calls to gather information only -- it does not need to be installed.

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Answer 4

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Aug 21, 2017 8:28 PM in response to cbg2115

Hi,

If you're really going to buy a new computer because of issues on your current Mac, why not make an effort to "fix" this Mac and not buy a new one?

Backup to an external HD, erase your internal drive (which will rid your Mac of any software issues), install an OS, install apps from scratch, and manually move desired data from external HD to internal drive (which would be the same process you should do with your planned new computer).

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Answer 5

cbg2115 Author

Level 1

38 points

Aug 21, 2017 8:43 PM in response to tjk

Thank you for your replies

KimUserName: I've already run both programs and they've turned up negative. I've read there are viruses and Malware these programs can't detect

Grant Bennet-Adler: Someone has had confirmed physical access to my computer so I know they've had the ability to install something more sinister than your standard Malware

tjk: My question is that if I use the external hard drive to back up my infected computer, is there a chance the Malware can infect the external hard drive and then subsequently infect my new computer when I go to transfer the desired data?

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Answer 6

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Aug 21, 2017 9:06 PM in response to cbg2115

If you transfer just your data files, then some sort of malware would actually have to be attached to one or more of those files. Is that within the realm of ultimate possibility? I suppose it is, but I have not heard of that happening. If it was me, I would feel safe manually transferring just my files back from an external HD. Even if you're going to get a new computer, I would still use this process with your existing Mac to satisfy yourself that the issues are resolved after erasing HD as I explained before.

If you don't mind sharing, what exactly is happening to convince you of some sort of malware infection? Maybe someone here can help with that.

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Answer 7

cbg2115 Author

Level 1

38 points

Aug 22, 2017 9:38 AM in response to tjk

It's a long story but my computer was left alone with an individual who has installed Malware on other's computers before. Since then, out of the ordinary things have started to happen. My external hard drive was also tampered with. Is it possible that malware could've been placed directly on the external hard drive?

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Answer 8

cbg2115 Author

Level 1

38 points

Aug 22, 2017 2:24 PM in response to tjk

So viruses and malware can be installed on external hard drives? Is simply erasing the hard drive enough, or could there be something more deeply embedded? Similarly, is erasing the hard drive of the computer a guarantee to remove all viruses and malware? I read that some can embed themselves in the firmware and therefore be impossible to get rid of

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Answer 9

Aug 22, 2017 3:44 PM in response to cbg2115

It is possible that you have acquired something so diabolical, it will never be found. But it is not likely.

If you would go through the steps suggested above, such as running etrecheck, Readers can help you see if there are obvious things added to your Mac, and also remove them if you like.

In my opinion, the more obvious things you find, the less likely that you have been hit with something really devious.

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Answer 10

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Aug 23, 2017 8:36 AM in response to cbg2115

Yes, but the HD would have to be connected to and transferred from the Mac.

Yes, erasing should be enough. I suppose it's possible that the NSA or some agency has developed malware to hide in the HD's firmware, but it's not been spotted in the wild, and no one on here, or anyone I've ever heard of, has heard of it.

No one can guarantee anything like this, but chances are infinitesimal.

Again, I suppose it's possible, but so far at least, apparently unheard of.

If I was in your situation, I would use the process I explained earlier and not have any worries about it.

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Answer 11

Aug 23, 2017 9:24 AM in response to cbg2115

The only way to be absolutely certain that nothing bad is transferred to a new computer is to toss the old one, and all its files, into the crusher and take NOTHING forward.

I think several users have pointed out that your Malware infection, if any, is not likely to be nearly as extreme as you are imagining, and that there are numerous PRACTICAL ways forward.

As Readers have said, none of these provides ABSOLUTE certainty.

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Answer 12

cbg2115 Author

Level 1

38 points

Aug 23, 2017 4:41 PM in response to tjk

So you're saying the only people with the ability to design malware that can be immediately transferred to the External HD once it's plugged into an infected machine are members of the NSA? I'm pretty sure the person I'm suspecting isn't a part of the NSA so that makes me somewhat relieved.

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