Any way to check new external hard drive just in case?

[Tredtradeus]

Hello!

I'm planning to buy new external hard drive for Time Machine.
I've heard some stories how even freshly bought computer might have spyware. Don't know if it applies to external hard drive too.

1) Is there any way to check if it is clean (Malwarebytes only scans for installed malicious content)
2) How likely is it freshly bought external hard drive has something nasty in it?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

You'll hear stories about just about anything.

1) There's little point to "checking if it's clean." Just erase/reformat the hard drive - it'll be faster, and you'll probably feel more secure. https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22241

2) How likely is it to have something nasty on it? If you're buying a factory-sealed hard drive, the possibility of this happening is very, very, very, very low. If you're buying a used or "open box" hard drive... anything is possible.

Again: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22241

 

[Tredtradeus]

You'll hear stories about just about anything.

1) There's little point to "checking if it's clean." Just erase/reformat the hard drive - it'll be faster, and you'll probably feel more secure. https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22241

This is nice! Thank you for link. Which volume format should I pick for fresh new external hard drive?

2) How likely is it to have something nasty on it? If you're buying a factory-sealed hard drive, the possibility of this happening is very, very, very, very low. If you're buying a used or "open box" hard drive... anything is possible.

Again: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH22241

Sorry, but what's "open box"? Drive that has been used and returned to shop?

 

[Weaselboy]

This is nice! Thank you for link. Which volume format should I pick for fresh new external hard drive?

Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is what you want. Or Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) if you want your Time Machine backups to be encrypted (which is a good idea).

Sorry, but what's "open box"? Drive that has been used and returned to shop?

Exactly.