The Dink Network

The "virus guys" don't get any joy for writing viruses, they get money. This is how the business works. As for copying your files to an external hard drive, most malware won't "follow" them. There are some exceptions: A file infector can infect your original files, adding his code to them. Most worms will detect a new drive attached to your computer, copy themselves on it, then add an autorun.inf file, that will allow them to run, and infect any computer that the usb flash drive / external hard drive is plugged in.
Good luck!