Registry Cleaners etc.
Registry cleaners, PC utilities, and more!
The Dangers of Being a Thrifty Nerd
Have you ever picked up used computer hardware or software at a thrift store? How about a garage sale? What about from family or friends? If so, you dramatically increase your chances of infection by any number of malware, as well as the odds of receiving an expensive paperweight.
Getting second-hand computer items is definitely economical, especially if you aren’t too concerned about having the latest and greatest technology. To just check your email, browse the web, and log into Facebook, you don’t need the intense processing power that comes with modern PCs. Likewise, some peripherals hardly change over the years – and a CD and DVD will still work the same.
Consider these possible vectors for infection:
Old computer: could have every piece of malware released since the day the original owner got it. Not only that, but the system may not have been well maintained, and could be bogged down with errors and clutter.
Used USB: can contain any number of viruses or malware.
CDs and DVDs: like USB keys, these can contain security threats
Used Hard Drives: as with a used computer, this has a possibility to contain malware from when the computer was in use. If possible, ask the seller or donator to format the drive (erase it to blank)
RAM, PSUs, video card: these will not contain an infection, but there are many different formats of these devices. RAM in particular has many different forms, and the one you buy may not fit your PC.
Printers, Scanners, digital cameras, other peripherals: these also should be free of infections. However, depending on their age, they may not be supported by default with your computer. There may be a hunt to track down correct and compatible drivers.
The individuals that sell or give you used computer items are not necessarily the ones trying to infect you, or hand off an incompatible device. Most likely, they never even knew their old computer was infected in the first place. Take it on yourself to do some research, find out which parts you need, and always have an up-to-date security program to stop malware before it starts. Check out our PC Health Advisor page to see how the best registry cleaners can also scan for malware.
