What files are not safe to download

Click the menu button and select Options Preferences. Click the menu button and select Settings. If you have tried the above suggestions, you can restore the default Firefox download folder settings:.

To fix the problem, open Safari's Preferences and change the Save downloaded files to: setting to a valid folder such as your Desktop. Then restart Firefox. Change the folder properties and try again, or try saving in a different location. If downloading certain file types does not work, check to make sure Firefox is not set to handle those file types differently from others.

See Change what Firefox does when you click on or download a file for instructions on how to view and change how different file types are handled.

Internet security software, including firewalls , antivirus programs, anti-spyware programs, and others can block certain file downloads. Go to VirusTotal. VirusTotal is a file analysis service that will analyze the file with over 25 different antimalware engines. When this happens people in the VirusTotal community will often leave some comments about the file, so click the comments and see what people are saying.

Are you still not sure about the file? Right click the file and check its properties to see if it has a known publisher. Keeping track of the apps on your PC and how they are signed is a great way to keep your device secure. Did you know the latest versions of Windows 10 have a free sandbox feature that allows you to safely run applications in a protected environment on your PC?

Search for Windows Sandbox in the Windows search box to run it. Now copy the file, and then paste it into the Windows Sandbox. If you are already running the. Our free GlassWire software can show you that data in real-time. I don't recommend turning SmartScreen off completely because it is helpful in preventing you from downloading a malicious file or app, but you can disable it in Microsoft's Edge browser if you want to override its protection and go ahead and download a file it doesn't recognize.

You can disable SmartScreen in the Windows Defender Security Center app in total or just for Edge, but for the latter it's faster to do so right within Edge itself, particularly if you are already using Edge.

Here's how to toggle SmartScreen off and on in Edge:. With SmartScreen off, you are on your own about which files to download in Edge, but I would urge you to go back and toggle SmartScreen on when you have finished downloading your file. Even if you just get the free version, it's worth having a defense against a multitude of threats.

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. Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0. If you receive an E-mail from an unknown sender with a file attached, delete it immediately. That has 'virus' written all over it. Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0. 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. If you use Kaspersky, it is a great idea scanning the file with a virus check before running it - just to be extra sure that your computer isn't at stake! Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. 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. Helpful 18 Not Helpful 9. 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. Some software that looks and is legitimate can actually be hacked. When in doubt, always scan the file for viruses!

Related wikiHows How to. How to. About This Article. Tested by:. Co-authors: Updated: March 4, Categories: Internet Security. Nederlands: Weten of het veilig is om iets te downloaden.