Can my laptop get a virus if I plug an internet cable from a network of infected PCs into it?

Question

My school's computer lab is known for being infested with trojans and other viruses. Inserting your USB drive into any terminal almost guarantees infection.

I've taken to unplugging the network cable from the back of PCs and connecting it to my laptop in order to use the printers. It works great, but will this leave me vulnerable to viruses?

I haven't gotten any so far using this technique, but I just want to be sure.

Answer 1

Do you think that a laptop is different from a PC? The are EXACTLY the same as far as software is concerned. OF COURSE you will get infected if you don't have adequate security, see link below.

Answer 2

You shouldn't as long as you have a decent AV on your lappy. If you leave your lappy connected to the crippled school network for a while, it very well might happen, but for 2 minutes to print something; I really doubt it.

Answer 3

You will not get viruses if your laptop already has an anti-virus protection, a good one too! (not one of those free internet trials).

Furthermore, to detect and/or remove spyware, you should use SpyBot. It's free and very efficient, but you have to manually update it right after the installation.

You can get it at:

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-De...

Just click on the "download now" link.

Have fun!

Answer 4

You can get virus by simply browsing the internet also. It all depends on how you protect yourself. Arm your laptop with a reliable antivirus ( dont use the free ones) . Always update and scan your system frequently.

Answer 5

it depends if you have a good anti virus than it will more than likely not but thir network has a virus so its always a risk

i would recomend after everytime you use the network unplug your laptop from the networ kand do a scan on it..

yes it takes a long time but it will be worth it

Answer 6

Yeah.... you could get a bunch of viruses that way and your laptop might even crash...

Answer 7

yes, it might cause damage.. unless or untill you have a strong antivirus and firewall protection in your lappi

Answer 8

download AVG it is very good virus scanner and work automatically on your computer and remove trozon horse which is very bad virus scanner

Install and Run ONE Antivirus Program

--AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition http://www.grisoft.com/

--Avast Anti-Virus Home Edition http://www.avast.com/

--Avira Anti-Virus http://www.free-av.com/

if you want other virus scanner to remove anti spyware then download this

Install and Run Anti-Spyware

--Spybot Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.h...

--Spyware Terminator http://www.spywareterminator.com/...

--AdAware http://www.lavasoft.com/

if you have problem with AVG try this

nstall and Run System Optimization tool

--Ccleaner (Strongly Recommended) http://www.ccleaner.com/

--Advanced WindowsCare http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscare...

--Glary Utilities http://www.glaryutilities.co

Answer 9

It depends on the kind of firewall and anti-virus protection you use......if ur using Windows XP or Vista,....i suggest u get "Zone Alarm Internet Security",or Bitdefender Total Security 2008 or Avast (free)...........coz if ur security is weak.......u system will die in no time....depending on how harmful virus/trojans are......

If ur using Linux OS like Redhat,Fedore,Suse,Ubuntu.....no problems...none of Windows Virus will affect you , ur safe.........

I wouldnt plug an internet cable from a network of infected PC's if im using XP r VISTA.....but i would if connect while logging into my Linux Disto i.e, OpenSUSE