Microsoft – How to check if a file is clean before downloading

Microsoft – How to check if a file is clean before downloading


Problem

A customer wishes to check if a file they want to download is safe and free of malware before downloading it.


Resolution

  1. Open your browser to the page you wish to download the executable or document file.
  2. Right click on the link for the executable or document, then click the context menu item as appropriate to your browser.

    Copy Link Address – Google Chrome
    Copy Link – Microsoft Edge
    Copy Link - Firefox
    Copy Link - Safari

  3. With the link copied click the plus sign in the top of the browser window to create a new tab.
  4. Then click the browser address bar and go to:  www.virustotal.com
  5. On the Virus Total website click the URL link.
     
  6. Then right-click the edit box and choose Paste on the context menu, the URL for the executable file or document link will be pasted, then press ENTER.
  7. A results page will then be displayed.  The link will then be analysed by a number of Anti-Virus products and if found click will show a green tick and show the word clean next to them.  The greater number of ticks seen generally the greater confidence one has the file is safe to download.

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