I have a 128GB drive from my old PC that I know has a trojan on it. I'm looking to use this drive for extra storage on my new, clean PC, but I'm not sure how to safely wipe it first. I don't mind if all the data is erased. I'd like to know the best way to go about this without causing trouble for my new setup. If I connect the infected drive to my new PC, will it be safe, or will it activate the trojan? Should I just take it to a shop to get wiped or use a different method, like connecting it to my phone? I'm really not tech-savvy, so any help would be appreciated!
4 Answers
The easiest route is just to format it. That’ll clear everything and make it safe to use again! Just remember to do it from a reliable setup so you don’t run into issues later.
Using a good antivirus like Bitdefender can help scan USB drives automatically and remove any threats. If there's a way to connect that drive to your new setup, you can run a scan first to ensure it’s clean before diving in. Just keep in mind that you need to have the drive’s connector set up correctly, especially if it’s an SSD.
Here’s a solid way to wipe that drive: 1. Grab a blank USB drive. 2. Download a live Linux image (Fedora KDE or Knoppix work great). 3. Use a tool like Rufus to load that onto the USB. 4. Boot your old PC from the USB you just created. 5. Format the infected drive from there. Once done, install it back into the new PC; it should be good as new!
A quick note: actually wiping the drive means all data will be gone for good. If you connect the drive to your new PC, it won't trigger the trojan, but keep an eye out through Explorer for any weird behavior. Using antiviruses on a clean system could help you access the data if you need it before wiping, but if you're set on wiping, you can go ahead!
No problem! If the antivirus couldn’t scan it before, using a clean PC might help; just be cautious. Let me know if you have more questions!
Thanks for clarifying! I really don’t mind losing the few pictures and games I have on there. The trojan seems a bit tough since my antivirus on the old PC couldn’t remove it, but I appreciate your input!