I have 1TB external HDD. I want to know if it is possible to install any antivirus in my external hard drive because I might plug it in another computer that doesn't have an update and that has a virus.
Which one is good antivirus for external hard drive?
Software/Hardware used:
windows 7 and xp
ASKED:
February 27, 2013 1:14 PM
You can store an anti-virus program on an external drive, but if it’s not installed on the system that you attach the drive to, that system won’t execute it. It won’t help in the slightest to have AV stored on an external drive. — Tom
Tom, i have WD hard drive, it has one security tools for password protection. if we are run that tools ones in any pc, after that if i connected another pc it ll execute automatically and open password window. so it also one kind of program for portable HDD. so only i am asking, Is there any antivirus program like this.
A drive manufacturer can build anything they choose into the controller. It’s far more difficult for anyone else to program the controller. You might contact the vendor on how it might be done, but I wouldn’t expect much information. Most manufacturers aren’t overly willing to help anyone with methods of changing how their drives work. BTW, password protection built into drives is done for a number of them. — Tom
i got ClamWin portable antivirus from google. this is good or not. can i use this.
It’s good enough if you keep it updated. It still won’t help protect the drive if the drive is attached to an unprotected system. — Tom
You should be able to install the software on your root drive and then in the settings, set up a schedule to scan that particular drive at a different time of the day. I use PC Tools, and in the settings, I have done just that for my external drives. This way, your system is not bogged down all at once with all of the scanning, especially if you have a couple of external hard drives totaling up to four Gigs.I am in the process of setting up a NAS at home and this is one of the issues that I am having to deal with. It may not be a daily scan like I do with my main system, but it will still be scanned every couple of days after a backup has been completed.
You should be able to install the software on your root drive…
Yes, but the question asks about drive protection when the drive is temporarily attached to a different, unknown system. In that situation, having AV on the home system’s root drive can’t help the external drive. It can be helpful when the drive is brought back and reattached to the home system.
Tom