Question concerning wiping partitions and how separate are partions on a single disc

[Charlotte]

Hello Everybody,

I have some questions regarding my PC which has got windows XP installed on
it. I have got 4 partitions, but one main hard drive, essentially my
questions is this.
Is there any way that viruses or anything else can transfer between one
partition and another automatically (excluding manually putting transferring
them from one partion to another").

The next question is if I wipe complete all the contents of the C drive (is
is called the Active partition or something like that) will this 100% get
rid of any traces of anything that was or could have been installed on my
computer.

The question I want to ask is can you consider the other partitions as being
totally separate, I need to mention also that XP is installed only on C
partition. For exapmple if something was downloaded does it ever only stay
on the main C partition allways? So if it is deleted, any contents, or any
virus or trojans all will be contained only on C.

The basic point of the question is to find out if I need to wipe my entire
disc or just wipe the main parition in order to completely wipe out
everything that was on my operating system.

Thanks in advance and sorry if my question is a bit rambly

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

As long as you have installed all the Windows XP critical updates
and a good, robust, antivirus program, you should not have a major
concern with becoming infected with viruses. A nasty virus can
destroy your files, no matter which partition. Any file you download
should be scanned for viruses before opening or executing the file.

Please read the following:

Download Ad-aware SE and scan your PC for the presence of sp­yware:
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=YVXRORVWHFHMFNZMBBX

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en

Antivirus software: Frequently asked questions
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/antivirus.mspx

Install Avast! antivirus program (FREE)
http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html

3 Simple Steps to Help Ensure the Protection of Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/athom­e/security/protect/default.msp­x

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

Utilize the following maintenance programs, at least monthly,
to maintain the optimum performance of Windows XP:

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312&Product=winxp

How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hello Everybody,
|
| I have some questions regarding my PC which has got windows XP installed on
| it. I have got 4 partitions, but one main hard drive, essentially my
| questions is this.
| Is there any way that viruses or anything else can transfer between one
| partition and another automatically (excluding manually putting transferring
| them from one partion to another").
|
| The next question is if I wipe complete all the contents of the C drive (is
| is called the Active partition or something like that) will this 100% get
| rid of any traces of anything that was or could have been installed on my
| computer.
|
| The question I want to ask is can you consider the other partitions as being
| totally separate, I need to mention also that XP is installed only on C
| partition. For exapmple if something was downloaded does it ever only stay
| on the main C partition allways? So if it is deleted, any contents, or any
| virus or trojans all will be contained only on C.
|
| The basic point of the question is to find out if I need to wipe my entire
| disc or just wipe the main parition in order to completely wipe out
| everything that was on my operating system.
|
| Thanks in advance and sorry if my question is a bit rambly

 

[Kerry Brown]

Answered inline

Hello Everybody,

I have some questions regarding my PC which has got windows XP installed
on it. I have got 4 partitions, but one main hard drive, essentially my
questions is this.
Is there any way that viruses or anything else can transfer between one
partition and another automatically (excluding manually putting
transferring them from one partion to another").
Yes


The next question is if I wipe complete all the contents of the C drive
(is is called the Active partition or something like that) will this 100%
get rid of any traces of anything that was or could have been installed on
my computer.
No


The question I want to ask is can you consider the other partitions as
being totally separate, I need to mention also that XP is installed only
on C partition. For exapmple if something was downloaded does it ever only
stay on the main C partition allways? So if it is deleted, any contents,
or any virus or trojans all will be contained only on C.
No


The basic point of the question is to find out if I need to wipe my entire
disc or just wipe the main parition in order to completely wipe out
everything that was on my operating system.

Thanks in advance and sorry if my question is a bit rambly

If you logon with an account that has administrator permissions then a
malware program can do anything it likes on any partition. If any of the
partitions have shared folders then many network aware virii will drop files
into them attempteing to infect other computers on the network. Many virii
will scan all available drives (partitions) looking for exe files to infect.
If you are infected with a root kit or backdoor program then your computer
can be accessed at will over the Internet. Whoever does this could install
files anywhere on your computer.

Kerry

 

[Rock]

Hello Everybody,

I have some questions regarding my PC which has got windows XP installed on
it. I have got 4 partitions, but one main hard drive, essentially my
questions is this.
Is there any way that viruses or anything else can transfer between one
partition and another automatically (excluding manually putting transferring
them from one partion to another").

The next question is if I wipe complete all the contents of the C drive (is
is called the Active partition or something like that) will this 100% get
rid of any traces of anything that was or could have been installed on my
computer.

The question I want to ask is can you consider the other partitions as being
totally separate, I need to mention also that XP is installed only on C
partition. For exapmple if something was downloaded does it ever only stay
on the main C partition allways? So if it is deleted, any contents, or any
virus or trojans all will be contained only on C.

The basic point of the question is to find out if I need to wipe my entire
disc or just wipe the main parition in order to completely wipe out
everything that was on my operating system.

Thanks in advance and sorry if my question is a bit rambly

Is there a specific problem you're trying to address, or just a general
knowledge question? Malware can distribute itself to any of the
partitions.

 

[Charlotte]

Answered inline



If you logon with an account that has administrator permissions then a
malware program can do anything it likes on any partition. If any of the
partitions have shared folders then many network aware virii will drop
files into them attempteing to infect other computers on the network. Many
virii will scan all available drives (partitions) looking for exe files to
infect. If you are infected with a root kit or backdoor program then your
computer can be accessed at will over the Internet. Whoever does this
could install files anywhere on your computer.

Kerry

Who in the world would ever do online banking if they really knew the half
of it?

Thankyou!

 

[Kerry Brown]

Who in the world would ever do online banking if they really knew the half
of it?

Thankyou!

I do. If you take reasonable precautions Internet banking is safer than
using a debit machine at a gas station. We've had a rash of fraudulent card
readers installed in our area lately

Realistically, if you use an up to date antivirus program, a couple of
antispyware programs, and practice safe surfing, you are reasonably safe. I
have no qualms using online banking. There is probably a greater financial
risk of identity theft from stolen mail than problems with online banking.

Kerry