I think my PC was infected, and I backed up some files to the cloud before I realized it. Now that I have a new computer, I'm unsure about what I can safely retrieve. Are text documents and photos considered safe, or should I avoid downloading anything?
3 Answers
Cloud services typically scan uploads for viruses since it’s crucial for them. Just keep in mind that larger files sometimes skip the scanning process. You can download your files and check them in a secure environment, like a virtual machine. If you’re using Windows, its built-in Defender will usually take care of known viruses. Additionally, you can use VirusTotal online by uploading files for a thorough check with multiple antivirus tools.
Files like text documents, pictures, music, and videos are generally fine. Just be careful with the software you use to open them—some could execute harmful code if they have vulnerabilities.
You could scan your cloud files for viruses, depending on the cloud service you’re using. Another option is to download everything and do a virus scan on your new PC. The chance of a virus impacting you just by being on your system is really low.
I’ve heard that text files and photos are less likely to carry viruses, so I’d stick to those for now. Plus, the cloud has its own security measures in place. Still, I worry a bit about these things.
True, but I can't think of any image viewing software that hasn't had some sort of exploitable bug in the past. It's a gamble.