[Master T]

I'm troubleshooting problems present on our computers. The problems seem to do with the faulty USB external drive. But some suggest it may be malware too.

So I would like to ask if it's possible for a computer to get infected under the following circumstances:
1. Simply plug in the infected USB drive / discs / USB stick and do absolutely nothing!
2. Simply copy and paste the infected file, or move the infected file. We will be infected even if we haven't run/executed it!!
3. Just extracting files from an infected archive (e.g. zip or rar)
4. Simply double click to open an infected archive without extracting anything
5. All computers would get infected automatically if one computer in the same local network is infected. It doesn't require any user interaction!!

What should we do to help minimize the risks of infection if we are handling people with infected PCs, drives or files?

Please help and confirm. Thanks.

Edited by Master T, 06 July 2009 - 01:46 AM.

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Install Panda USB and AutoRun Vaccine: http://research.pand...un-Vaccine.aspx on a computer, you want to plug suspicious USB drive in.
It'll prevent any file on USB drive from running automatically.
Scan USB drive with your AV program.

[Broni]

Install Panda USB and AutoRun Vaccine: http://research.pand...un-Vaccine.aspx on a computer, you want to plug suspicious USB drive in.
It'll prevent any file on USB drive from running automatically.
Scan USB drive with your AV program.

[Master T]

Install Panda USB and AutoRun Vaccine: http://research.pand...un-Vaccine.aspx on a computer, you want to plug suspicious USB drive in.
It'll prevent any file on USB drive from running automatically.
Scan USB drive with your AV program.

I used an registry key to turn off AutoRun already. Is there anything more Panda USB and AutoRun Vaccine does? Let me see... Thank you for the answer.

[Broni]

You should be pretty much safe to plug that USB drive in.