If You Found A Memory Stick...

[ukanonymous]

If you found a memory stick would you put it into your computer to see what was on it?
If the memory stick was labelled then what labelling would convince you to plug it into your computer to see what is on it?

[gingejbee]

No, I wouldn't. Quite possibly loaded with viruses!

[bhg481]

The only safe place for an unknown memory stick is the dustbin. A favourite way to spread malware is to put it on a memory stick and "lose" it. Some obliging soul comes along and infects their computer for you.

[ukanonymous]

Hmm interesting answers so far!

[HansUrbancka]

Good advice from gingejbee & bhg481.

[AB Editor]

I think I'd want to have a look. Whether I'd plug is straight into a networked computer though...

[gingejbee]

^^^not so much interesting, as sensible!

[Cloverjo]

I would feel tempted to look, but probably wouldn't in case there's child porn or something on it.

[jno]

if it was labelled "the private life of HansUrbancka", well, I might be tempted.

[ukanonymous]

good advice for sure but it could simply be a lost memory stick and to find the owner...

But it could have something interesting labelled on it such as... NUDES 2015 etc lol

[andy-hughes]

It wouldn't have occurred to me that it would be maliciously loaded with viruses - I would just hand it in at the police station.

[ukanonymous]

I suppose you could plug it in and do a virus scan on it straight away right?

[hc4361]

I've found one and plugged it in. Just a few holiday photos.

[Canary42]

I might plug it into someone else's compter ;-) but not mine.

[bhg481]

Remember that anti-virus programs can only filter out known viruses. These firms have "honey pot" computers which pick up new viruses so that they can update their databases to protect their users. A virus on a memory stick has probably not passed through their system, so your computer, howver well protected, will "catch" the virus. DON'T BE TEMPTED.

[hc4361]

Open it in a sandbox, like what I do, then it can't do any harm.

[Canary42]

Something I'd never heard of - thanks for the information hc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_(computer_security)

[IggyB]

UK why are you trying to get someone to load and unknown memory stick.

Progs can be made to auto run on load so might be running before any virus checker is started.

[hc4361]

He's only asking if you would, not telling you to do it

[woofgang]

No I wouldn’t. Absolutely not. If it was in somewhere like a mall or shop, I would hand it in to lost property, otherwise I wouldn’t even pick it up.

[Gromit]

I once found a memory stick and was able to reunite it with its owner who was very grateful. I had no hesitation about putting it in my computer, and I would have no hesitation about doing the same in the future.

I have lost a stick once in the past, and it caused me some inconvenience. It was not returned, but there were no files on it that could opened without an expensive program. Since then, I name my sticks with my telephone number, and have a text file with my contact on it.