Is your computer an Open Invitation for HACKERS? Download free version of Sparktrust Inspector to identify vulnerabilities and problems on your computer (and even your WEBSITES)!
I received an email with a mime file extension. Before my computer crashed, I had a free version of WinZip (which is now $30!). I rarely receive or use zipped files. I just want to open pictures of my niece's graduation. My old PC just got one of the latest viruses, so I'm a bit gun-shy to download this program. I don't know how to "scan it" for viruses. My new computer is running AVG, instead of the old Norton. Am I okay to download this?
Free Unzip Utilities
First, you will need an unzip utility. Most of the major unzip utilities such as WinZip, WinRar, and Stuffit offer free trial versions. Go to CNET Downloads or some other trusted site and download a free trial version of one of these products.
Downloading and Scanning Programs
Is your computer an Open Invitation for HACKERS? Download free version of Sparktrust Inspector to identify vulnerabilities and problems on your computer (and even your WEBSITES)!
Depending on your antivirus program's settings, your software may already scan the file as it is being downloaded. You can run a manual scan as well. Go to Windows Explorer (right click Start, choose Explore) and then right-click the downloaded file. Once right-clicked, a menu pops up. Choose the option that says, "Scan for viruses" or "Scan for threats."
Scanning Zipped Files
Next, you may need to go into your antivirus program to specify how to work with zipped files. For example, in Trend Micro's Advanced Settings area, there's a section covering whether or not to scan compressed files such as zip files as well as how many compression levels deep to scan. AVG may or may not have a similar option, but it doesn't hurt to check.
If you've already saved the zipped file to your hard drive, you can scan it manually by going to Windows Explorer as you did with the downloaded program file and then right-clicking the file. Once right-clicked, choose the option that says, "Scan for viruses" or "Scan for threats."
If the file comes up clean, you can then unzip the file using your downloaded unzip utility. One way to unzip it is to right-click the file and choose "Extract all" (or similar wording depending on your version of Windows and the unzip utility) from the pop-up menu. You can also double-click the file and your new unzip utility should automatically launch and extract the files.
Is your computer an Open Invitation for HACKERS? Download free version of Sparktrust Inspector to identify vulnerabilities and problems on your computer (and even your WEBSITES)!
Celeste Stewart | April 23rd, 2010
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