If I use my computer as a medium for downloading files to an external harddrive, will my computer be at risk for viruses?

Rachel... I'd say that's not the greatest idea. If you were to do it I'd mitigate the risk. One Run AV in the background there's ton's of free ones make sure you per-to-per software is from a legit site like CNET downloads.

Make sure its configured correctly by default some share you My Docs or My Music etc. Don't want that.. If you decide to download put them on the external drive and MAKE SURE NOT TO RUN THEM. If there is a virus or exploit buried in a MP3 or something it won't run until you play it or try to.(in Theory). Once you got your files on there take them to the other PC and run them (which may well infect the other PC; You could run your AV over the external drive before).

If your laptop is you life I'd avoid even bring the external back from the other machine. Now I'm assuming you distributing legal content bear in mind Zune Software package has a unlimited pass to everything on there store for $15 bucks a month (a subscription model) and you get to keep 10 songs every month DRM free MP3s.Be safe. And you might want to take a security class in college that might come in handy if your still on the programming track.

If your computer can directly access and thus can be direcly accessed from the external drive, than yes.

Any computer that comes in contact with the internet, either directly or by running files downloaded somewhere else is at risk of infection. To be honest, as long as you are careful where you download from, you shouldn't have too many problems. I have to say that Windows Defender (if you keep your computers updated through windows update you should already have it, and if you don't use windows update, you really should!) seems to do a decent job.

There are also alot of good free programs out there to help you. AVG can scan folders you tell it to, which might be convenient for you if you want to only check newly downloaded files on you external drive! Hope I helped and good luck with staying virus free!

Yes, your computer can be infected. Though it is downloading data to external hard drive, it is routed to RAM, internal HDD & the processor. So if that data contains virus, if might infect your PC.So go for a good antivirus like Kaspersky.

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