How to Check a Download for Viruses

Computers have become more vulnerable to virus threats due to the growth of the Internet, and you may unknowingly be downloading a virus while visiting a website or saving files from the Internet onto your computer. It is best to use precautions and check a download for viruses using online virus scanners even before you access the file from the Internet. You can also install anti-virus programs to protect your system against computer viruses while downloading a file or after the download has been completed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Virus Total URL Scan

Download Article

Advertisement
Virus Scan will check the website for viruses and let you know whether it is safe for downloading files from there or not.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Virus Total File Scan

Download Article

Virus Total will check the download for viruses and let you know of any threats that were detected.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Jotti's Malware Scan

Download Article

Jotti will scan the file and display a status message to let you know if any viruses were detected.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Anti-virus Program

Download Article

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I scan my iPad for viruses?

Community Answer

Download any antivirus from the app store, as long as it has good reviews. Install it, and follow its instructions for use.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

How do I check AVG antivirus for a download file?

Community Answer

If you are trying to scan a downloaded file, look for a custom scan option, then select downloads or whatever folder/drive you downloaded it in.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

How do I scan .jar files? None of these methods work for .jar files. I made a RAT infected .jar file and it wasn't detected.

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

These methods do work for .jar files. However, keep in mind that they are not 100% effective. This is especially the case if you made the RAT file yourself and it has never been seen in the wild before.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Many anti-virus programs offer real-time protection as well as virus scanning. This means that the software will notify you when it detects that you are downloading a virus attached to a file or if a website tries to attack your computer with viruses.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Interview}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you do not have an anti-virus program and do not want to pay for one, a reputable free antivirus is Avast. Download Avast here.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Some programs that are designed to check a download for viruses can slow down your computer due to heavy CPU usage. Online virus scanners are a better option when you don't want to install heavy software on your computer system.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1