Would video/text files from an infected machine be safe to transfer?

justwatch · Jan 19, 2014

I've got a laptop that I'm going to go through the process of checking for some deep/hard to remove malware like rootkits on, and I was curious about some things.

I am prepared to reformat and reinstall the operating system if necessary, but would it be possible to transfer some video (mp4, MKV, WMV) or text (LibreOffice, Word, etc.) to a flash drive or external drive, wipe the infected machine, and then transfer those files to the now-fresh machine or others without fear of spreading the initial infection?

chaslang · Jan 19, 2014

justwatch said: ↑

I am prepared to reformat and reinstall the operating system if necessary, but would it be possible to transfer some video (mp4, MKV, WMV) or text (LibreOffice, Word, etc.) to a flash drive or external drive, wipe the infected machine, and then transfer those files to the now-fresh machine or others without fear of spreading the initial infection?
Click to expand...

Video files can easily carry infections. You need to properly scan them.

LibreOffic and Word file are not text files. They are binary files and they can also carry infections and need to be scanned.

Why don't you just remove the malware from the PC?

justwatch · Jan 20, 2014

chaslang said: ↑

Video files can easily carry infections. You need to properly scan them.

LibreOffic and Word file are not text files. They are binary files and they can also carry infections and need to be scanned.

Why don't you just remove the malware from the PC?
Click to expand...

Well, the plan is to remove the malware, but I've just seen over and over again that rootkits (if it does end up being one) are difficult to remove, and the only way to be certain that it is is to reformat and reinstall the OS. I was merely saying that it was an option for me, push come to shove, and I wanted to know if any files would be safe to transfer.

Even if it did turn out to be a rootkit, would a scan with something like Avast or Malwarebytes be enough clear video or binary files for transfer?

chaslang · Jan 21, 2014

justwatch said: ↑

Well, the plan is to remove the malware, but I've just seen over and over again that rootkits (if it does end up being one) are difficult to remove, and the only way to be certain that it is is to reformat and reinstall the OS.
Click to expand...

Not really true. We remove them all the time with great success. But if you want a 100% guarantee a PC is clean than you need to delete all partitions, recreate partitions, format and reinstall AND never connect to the internet again and never plug in any removable media ....( get my point )

justwatch said: ↑

I was merely saying that it was an option for me, push come to shove, and I wanted to know if any files would be safe to transfer.
Click to expand...

Above you basically stated you wanted to be certain. Thus you answered your own question then. You cannot save anything if you want to be certain.

justwatch said: ↑

Even if it did turn out to be a rootkit, would a scan with something like Avast or Malwarebytes be enough clear video or binary files for transfer?
Click to expand...

Our cleaning process below helps us to make sure we clean a PC properly, but note that rootkits themselves are not a virus and do not attach themselves to your files as you are thinking. But thousands of other infections could.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

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Would video/text files from an infected machine be safe to transfer?

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

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Would video/text files from an infected machine be safe to transfer?

justwatch Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

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chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

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