[OReely]

Boz, on 06 March 2010 - 03:08 PM, said:

Chris, I use a 1TB Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive on my big desktop PC, and a small 500GB Western Digital for my laptop. The 1TB is about the size of a hardback book, cost about $179 @ Costco, and the 500GB ($79) is about the size of an iPod. Both connect via USB. They are easily portable, easy to operate, and quick to connect/disconnect. I've got both PCs set to automatically back up the entire hard drives once a week.

The little one saved my hindquarters (not to mention about ten years worth of pictures) when I had to completely reload the laptop's software and all my data after it got screwed up by a not-so-nice virus.

I'm going to dip my toe into unfamiliar waters here. Like Scarabchris, I'm no computer guy but I have a question. When you use a backup drive such as you've described, would your backup drive also back up the virus? What would be the best method of backing up while at the same time preventing the virus from backing up as well?

Also, I'm running MacAfee Total Protection. Is that enough?

[dsp]

In theory, if you're running an anti-virus, you shouldn't have viruses.

To answer your question: yes, the virus/malware is backed-up along with your other data if that is where its files reside. Excluding the malware's files would mean that you would have to know what and where they are, not an easy task since the name of the game is to avoid detection.

Some malware has been engineered to disable or defeat anti-malware programs. I have no specifics on this, however.

I am not familiar with MTP, but I suspect it works like every other anti-malware application; running in the background and requiring periodic updates from their online service(s) to stay current.

Do you update MTP regularly?

Are you currently infected with something?

What happens when you scan your computer with MTP?

This post has been edited by dsp: 10 March 2010 - 06:14 PM

[Fishinspot]

wow, you guys are some serious backup guru's! If you want to keep it simple get as mentioned in the first couple posts. Grab 1 or 2 large usb backup and do it often. Or get 3 or 4 just to make sure!!

[dsp]

I hope I helped, anyway.

[OReely]

dsp, on 10 March 2010 - 06:13 PM, said:

In theory, if you're running an anti-virus, you shouldn't have viruses.

To answer your question: yes, the virus/malware is backed-up along with your other data if that is where its files reside. Excluding the malware's files would mean that you would have to know what and where they are, not an easy task since the name of the game is to avoid detection.

Some malware has been engineered to disable or defeat anti-malware programs. I have no specifics on this, however.

I am not familiar with MTP, but I suspect it works like every other anti-malware application; running in the background and requiring periodic updates from their online service(s) to stay current.

Do you update MTP regularly?

Are you currently infected with something?

What happens when you scan your computer with MTP?

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I wasn't more prompt.

To answer your questions, yes the program automatically updates every day (sometimes twice a day). I don't believe I'm currently infected with anything. When I scan (automatically once a week), there are usually a few files that get blocked or quarantined. I have to decide to keep or delete them. I usually end up deleting most of them.

The reason I was asking was because Boz stated that he had to reload everything after he got infected. After rereading his post, I guess he got infected after he backed up to the external harddrive.

Sounds like no matter what you do, there's always a chance you could get infected by some jackass. Hopefully the MacAfee will keep the wolves at bay.