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Files can contain malicious software capable of doing extensive damage to your computer. So before you open, play or share files downloaded from the Internet or through instant messenger, scan them with anti-virus software, advises David Marcus, security research and communications manager for McAfee Avert Labs.
Fortunately, scanning a single file proves to be very easy. Here's
how.
1. Save the file to a specific folder you can find
easily. If you're downloading a music or movie file from a file-sharing
Web site, this would be the file you've selected as your media folder.
2.
Go to that file folder and open it. 3. Find the new file you
just downloaded.
4.Do not double-click the file to
open it. Instead, right-click the file and click "scan."
For files sent via instant messenger, the file may
appear as a link inside the instant messaging window. Simply open
the folder containing the file and proceed with step three.
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