can virus survive quick format?

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

My cousin computer expert told me that any kind of format get rid of viruses in the usb. Is that true? then what is the difference between quick format and normal(slow format)?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001407.htm

Here ^

A quick or a full format get rid of most infections , there are some BIOS infections that aren't affected by format but they are rare.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Unlikely, but it has been known to happen. Look up "Boot sector virus".
If you have a major infection, the time difference is not worth it. Nuke the drive.

ex_bubblehead · Jul 1, 2014

^
+1

I have yet to meet a virus that could survive either a large electromagnet or a really big hammer (in the case of thumbdrives)

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

i got a nasty virus in my usb and quick formatted. I got a new computer recently and updated my bios with my previously infected usb.

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

so i am kind of worried now that i might have a virus in my bios.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

I doubt it , very rare.

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

hmmm very rare huh.....Does that mean quick format does it's job?

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

lets say i have 7.50 gb usb and virus got in it and now have 7.45gb. If i quick format it won't it become 7.50gb again? and virus won't be there anymore.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Justin321321 :

If you're talking about a USB drive, nothing less than a full format. DBAN if you really want to.

If we were talking about a virus that already got installed on a running C drive or the boot drive, things may be different.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 1, 2014

Full format should clear a USB.

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

Couple years ago, I was given a 1GB USB mp3 player. It had 2 partitions on it. One easily accessible holding the mp3 files, and one that I could not touch via normal means.
If that small untouchable partition had malware in it, a quick format would not have affected it at all.

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

no recently i got a new computer and my usb was infected with a strong fbi virus. I got my brother's useless laptop and did a quick format on a usb. reason i quick format because i wanted install new bios update for my new computer. Do you think virus survived the quick format and got in to my bios?

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

oh ok so should i flash my bios again? I got z97 sabertooth mobo and i just flashed it yesterday.

ex_bubblehead · Jul 1, 2014

Unless it was designed for that specific purpose, no, it did not infect your BIOS. BIOS viruses are actually quite rare.

Justin321321 · Jul 1, 2014

u made my day

USAFRet · Jul 1, 2014

You're probably fine.

can virus survive quick format?

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