Is it safe to open files that are downloaded from the Internet?

ILOVEYOU Virus  - ILOVEYOU Virus 

The subject line of the infamous ILOVEYOU virus entices e-mail recipients to open the e-mail and thereby activate the virus. The ILOVEYOU bug became the world's most prevalent and costly virus when it struck in May 2000. By the time the outbreak was finally brought under control, losses were estimated at $10 billion, and the Love Bug was said to have infected 1 in every 5 personal computers worldwide. Antiviral software attempts to filter out virus-infected e-mail before it can reach a recipient.
October 3, 2007 5:00am CST
It depends. You should always treat files you download from the Internet with caution. Much depends on what you know about the file, its source, and its contents. Here are some ways to help make an informed decision about whether to open the file. Look for warning messages. Internet Explorer displays a message when a website attempts to download a file to your computer. If the message contains a yellow caution icon, then the file has been identified as a type that could pose a risk because it might contain computer code (possibly a program or computer virus). * Scan the file with antivirus software before you open it. * Save the file to your computer and then scan the file with an up-to-date antivirus program before opening it, rather than opening the file directly from the Internet. * Be more cautious with files that are not pictures, music, or plain text files. While pictures, music, or plain text file types (their names frequently end with one of these three-letter extensions: .jpg, .gif, .mp3, or .txt) are less likely to contain computer code or a virus, you should still be cautious with them. Look very carefully at the file name and extension because many viruses use double extensions, such as mypictures.jpg.exe, to trick people into running them. With all other file types, you should be even more cautious. It might be safe to open the file if all of the following are true:* When you run the file from the download dialog box, the message shows the publisher's name. If the publisher cannot be identified, it is safer to delete the file unless you know who created it and what it will do to your computer. * You completely trust the publisher. For example, if you have received files from this publisher before or they were recommended by a trusted person. * You requested the file. If a file starts downloading automatically or is offered when you didn't specifically request it, cancel the download.
2 people like this
7 responses
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
I am one of the people who really don't trust downloaded files..I'm kinda paranoid..so I scan,scan and scan and If I don't know where the file is coming from..yeah..I just don't open it.. Thank you for this information pixel!
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
5 Oct 07
:) I'm actually enjoying it..we're roaming around the city with the motorbike..hehe! so far,we've been to two nearby provinces..it's great! we took pictures of our first long trip,you can check them here; http://rudolfraquel.blogspot.com
1 person likes this
5 Oct 07
romantic - romantic couple
Thanks. very romantic!
4 Oct 07
you're welcome dear! welcome! (so, how's the motorbike doing?..)
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Oct 07
That's some really good advice. If I have a file in my email that has an exe extension, I delete it. I also scan all files with a virus scanner before I open it. That's really the best way to avoid getting viruses on your computer :D.
3 Oct 07
that's right! thanks southernpixie! (mmmmm....you remind me of someone...lol...)
5 Oct 07
ha ha ....very funny!:P
• India
4 Oct 07
As you said, it depends. Most of us have some good anti-virus loaded in our PCs and we do clean the hard-disk often. Also most email sites have in-built antivirus and they chk on spams and questionable mails and don’t open these at all. So you can download from these sites which are not approved by the email sites. So it is safe to open most sites, but some can definitely be risky. Its best to probe these sites a little before downloading from them.
1 person likes this
4 Oct 07
that's right too. the more we surf, the more experience we get to know about risk & downloading (if one really cares). but some anti-virus is too weak to detect an incoming virus and that's just too bad if a person is naive about it.
• Indonesia
4 Oct 07
Yes, it is safe as long as you get it from a trusted site or person but it would be better if you scan your files after that.
1 person likes this
4 Oct 07
yes. always ready for backup protection. thanks.
@ryanphil01 (4182)
• Philippines
6 Oct 07
As the saying goes...Never trust anyone, anything... use...your common sense...LOL. Seriously speaking, never trust anything specially online if you do know the who/what/which source its coming from. Scan all files using the latest version of anti virus software installed in your PC before downloading, that's the safest way. Thanks for all the safety tips my friend.
1 person likes this
9 Oct 07
and thanks for reading. thank you again!
• United States
4 Oct 07
Theres no way to tell with torrents I have fried like 20 hard drives using them.
1 person likes this
4 Oct 07
just don't indulge in downloading...
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
4 Oct 07
Thanks for sharing useful information. It wil be very handy when we work on computer.
4 Oct 07
you're welcome dpk! so, we be careful when downloading suspicious files. regards, steven!