Cd's with potential viruses on them.

[flobadob]

I've got 3 CDs which were made about ten years ago from an old computer that we used to have. They are mostly made up of song files that were taken from two music websites called Napster and Audiogalaxy. I am pretty sure that there are viruses on them because we didn't really know too much about computers back then and it crashed all the time.

I'm just wondering that if I put one of the CDs into my PC now will I risk infecting it or will my antivirus software cover it. I use AVG Free and I've also got Malwarebytes installed.

Can I put a CD into the CD drive and scan it with one or both of the above programs without harming my PC or will even putting it into the CD drive cause a risk?

[Wak]

If they have viruses on them, I don't think they will do anything until they are actually played. It will be quite OK to scan them with your AVG providing they don't start playing automatically.
Be ready to eject them.

[flobadob]

Thanks. I will just scan the whole CD when I insert it. I assume that they cannot be quarantined as they are on the CD.

[VHG]

A CD can have an "autostart" file on it which will run straight away, even if you do nothing but put the CD in the drive.

This autostart file could install or run a virus.

You can stop a CD autostarting by holding down a key on the keyboard when you insert the CD (cant remember what key it is for the moment).

You can then run a virus scan against the CD.

[flobadob]

I will google that VHG but nothing seems to autostart on the PC usually.

[ChuckFickens]

Ignoring the stealing music aspect!

Make a bootable ubuntu memory stick, boot the computer from that, copy the music files only onto another memory sick, destroy CDs.

[flobadob]

Yes chuck, I know it's sort of stealing, but it was only single songs and it took about 5 hours to get one. Other than that I don't know what you mean and it's probably not worth you explaining.

Chuck, if I scan the CD with malwarebytes or AVG will it be safe to look at the CDs contents?

[mjwman]

The chances are thet the cds will not play anyway because of deterioration. CDs especially cheap ones use aluminum foil which oxidises and corrodes, rendering it useless. Any home burned cd over 5 years old is suspect so look carefully at the reflected surface. Any imperfections there =doom

[flobadob]

I put one in and scanned it with no probs. Will try the rest later.