Know when It Is Safe to Download Something

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Scared that you might download the virus that's going to destroy your computer? Wondering whether the file you're downloading is safe or not? This could be the article that saves your computer's life.

Steps

  1. Assess what you're downloading. Are you downloading pornography or a warez (cracked) program? Or are you downloading an add-on to help improve your Mozilla Firefox experience? There's a much greater chance that the pornography and warez software is going to contain a virus hidden in the download. What's the file? That's your first clue. If it is illegal or suspicious looking, it's probably dangerous.
  2. Look over the site. It may seem superficial, but if you're downloading a file from a very basic site there's a higher chance that the site will have a virus hidden in its downloadable files than from a site that looks like it's been made from years of dedicated web designers.
  3. Consider who you are downloading the file from. Think about it logically, if you're downloading something from Windows, say, it's not likely that you're downloading a virus. What's the context? That's the key.
  4. Are there other people that have downloaded the file? If there's a forum attached to the site that has people saying they've downloaded said file and have not experienced any problems, chances are, you aren't going to be downloading a Trojan or worm.
  5. Look at the size of the file. If it's too small for what it is, it's junk.
  6. Watch out for executable files, such as '.exe', '.bat', '.pif', and '.scr'. If you download one of these you are, potentially, opening yourself up to anything on that file once you activate it. Try scanning it with a virus checker or any other software that is like it - just to be on the safe side. One common trick used by crackers is to have a 'double extension' such as '.gif.exe'. Said file is actually an .exe, not a .gif.
  7. Is the file signed? If you are downloading an executable (.exe) program on Windows, running it will usually open a license warning. If the executable is unlicensed, it is most likely a threat to your computer and privacy. (Note that not all unlicensed executables are bad, nor are all licensed executables good. If unsure, refer to the Tips section.)

Tips

  • Use your common sense - could it be simpler?
  • Try web browser add-ons (such as McAfee SiteAdvisor, Norton SafeWeb, and BitDefender TrafficLight) that will automatically block dangerous sites.
  • Try to get yourself a decent anti-virus program on your computer. Norton, AVG and Avast! are all trusted sites with very effective programs that help clean up and/or protect your computer from the nasties that float around the internet. Even if you just get the free version, it's worth having a defense against a multitude of threats.
  • Type the name of the file into a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! and see what problems or lack thereof other people have had!
  • If you don't know if you can trust the website, try doing a 'WHOIS' look-up. Type the name of the website on a WHOIS site and it will find you lots of details that help you decide whether you can trust your download.
  • If you receive an E-mail from an unknown sender with a file attached, delete it immediately. That has 'virus' written all over it.
  • You can also use a free website file scanner to scan files.
  • Virtual Machines or sandbox programs such as Sandboxie can provide a safe way to test files.
  • Try an add-on, such as VTzilla. It can scan files before you download them, and can also scan links.
  • Try this: Open command prompt. The type the command: ping www.the site that you are downloading from here.com. If it's a very fast website, it's less likely to be a virus/worm.

Warnings

  • If you're totally worried and don't know whether you should trust the file or not, don't. There's no point downloading something if you don't trust it.
  • If you downloaded something suspicious and ran it, download and install an appropriate program to find any threats on your computer. Avast, AVG, or Malwarebytes are good and free programs.

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