Can I transfer files using only a Hard drive?

[bcyrek]

Hello, so my father has some files on an older HP Pavilion a1514n, we have some family photos that would be a shame if they were lost. I was wondering if I could just simply move the hard drive from the old one to my current computer and move the pictures to my newer hard drive? DO I need anything else for those files aside from just the Hard drive? Is there any risk of me contracting viruses on my new computer because of the old hard drive? (it's bound to have 1 or 2).
Thankyou!

 

[USAFRet]

A large flash drive or DropBox would probably be easier and safer.