Help downloading files

[desmo]

Hi all.
I need some advice if possible please.
When downloading files via the net, am I right in thinking that if I download it to my hard drive & then scan each individual file with Norton 360 before I attempt to open the file I will be safe from any virus's?
It is mainly video that I want to download (avi files)
I did see some advice on the net that said to avoid any files that end in .exe / .bat / .pif / .scr
are there any more file extensions that I should be carefull of?

Thanks for any advice.

[BluprintZ]

One of the first things i would do is remove Norton AV and replace it with Avast or Comodo instead, Norton can be a right pain in the arse, IMO.
If i'm downloading avi, wmv or mpeg movie files, i just right click on them and chose save as" from the menu, a window will open and you can then save the file wherever you like.
In my case, Avast will alert me if the file is dodgy and remove it before it can be downloaded, although it's very rare this happens, it all depends on what you are downloading and where from.
Exe. extentions are executable files ie; programmes.

G ; )

Hi all.
I need some advice if possible please.
When downloading files via the net, am I right in thinking that if I download it to my hard drive & then scan each individual file with Norton 360 before I attempt to open the file I will be safe from any virus's?
It is mainly video that I want to download (avi files)
I did see some advice on the net that said to avoid any files that end in .exe / .bat / .pif / .scr
are there any more file extensions that I should be carefull of?

Thanks for any advice.

[slob]

Scanning them is a start as long as your AV definitions are up to date, however you need to be aware that there is still a possibility you could get hit by an 'zero day exploit'. AV manufacturers react to new viruses in the wild, so there is always a delay between new viruses etc. appearing and you being protected. I would also recommend using other exploit/mal-ware detection, I use regularly updated Ad-Aware and SpyBot-S&D (both free). These still aren't a guarantee and you should be aware that the type of site you download from plays a big part, eg. You're much safer dowloading from the BBC or Micro$oft than a 3rd world hacker or porn site.

[Nickj]

Oh and keep an up to date mirror image of the drive so if you get anthing you can just zap the drive and slap the whole thing back on. Usually it's quicker than fixing it

[Nickj]

are there any more file extensions that I should be carefull of?


If you can think of the extension then you should be careful, the extension is just a tagged on name, actually what the file is?? It could be anything at all.