With the rise of the Internet, computers have become increasingly susceptible to virus threats. It's crucial to take precautions and check downloads for viruses to safeguard your system. Utilizing online virus scanners and installing anti-virus programs are recommended practices to protect your computer from potential threats when downloading files.
Steps to Follow
Utilize Virus Total URL Scan

Access the Virus Total Homepage

Navigate to the 'Submit a URL' section and input the website's address from which you intend to download the file.

Click on the 'Submit URL' button. Virus Scan will then assess the website for viruses and inform you whether it's safe to download files from there.
Virus Total File Scan

Visit the Virus Total website.

Click the Browse button located in the 'Upload a file' section.

Locate the downloaded file and choose it.

Click on the 'Send file' button. Virus Total will then scan the download for viruses and notify you of any detected threats.
Jotti's Malware Scan

Access the Jotti website on your computer.

Utilize the Browse button to pick the download you wish to scan for viruses.

Click on the 'Submit file' link. Jotti will then scan the file and provide a status message indicating if any viruses were found.
Anti-virus Program

Access your existing anti-virus program.

Access the Scan option.

Based on your program, initiate a Custom Scan.

Choose the downloaded file for scanning purposes.

Initiate the scan process.
Tips
- If you lack an anti-virus program and prefer not to spend money, consider using Avast, a reputable free antivirus solution. You can download Avast here.
- Many anti-virus programs provide real-time protection in addition to scanning for viruses. This feature alerts you if a file you're downloading contains a virus or if a website attempts to infect your computer with viruses.
Warnings
- Some programs designed to scan downloads for viruses can cause your computer to slow down due to heavy CPU usage. Opting for online virus scanners is a preferable choice when you want to avoid installing resource-intensive software on your computer system.