How to Know when It Is Safe to Download Something

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 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.
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   Step 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. , 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. , 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. , If it's too small for what it is, it's junk. , 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. , 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.)
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   Step 3: Consider who you are downloading the file from.

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   Step 4: Are there other people that have downloaded the file?

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   Step 5: Look at the size of the file.

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   Step 6: Watch out for executable files

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   Step 7: such as '.exe'

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   Step 8: '.bat'

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   Step 9: '.pif'

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    Step 10: and '.scr'.

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    Step 11: Is the file signed?

Detailed Guide

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