Downloads Containing Trojans Etc

[joko]

sometimes when i download a file or software etc, theres a trojan or virus etc with it - my security always catches it and quarantines it - and i always then delete the file entirely and dont use it - but this time i didnt (i thought i had but i deleted the wrong copy) and carried on and used the software - and it works fine etc.

so does this mean that once the threat is removed, the software is now clean and safe to use?

or should i not use it again and delete all trace of it?

i always thought the presence of a threat with any download made the whole thing unsafe to leave on your machine.

i regularly run malware bites etc too.

thanks

[Old_Geezer]

"my security always catches it and quarantines it"
How do you know this ?

If the AV beleives it has removed the threat without needing to delete the application then it ouight to be ok. Sounds like a well known infection that can be removed.

But I'd have played safe and got rid of it. Certainly it would not hurt to run the scan again.

[VHG]

Where do you download this file or software from?

If you download it from genuine sites from well known companies then they should not have viruses etc.

But if you download them from "dodgy" sites (which can cover a whole load of things) then they will often be bundled with viruses , spyware etc.

If you search for a file or a piece of software then dont always visit the first site on the list.

Some hackers and similar people do set up web sites where they include the names of software on the web page JUST to get you to visit the site on a search.

Once on their web page you could THINK you are downloading a genuine piece of software but it may be full of viruses.

Be VERY careful what sites you download files and software from.

[Alston]

A useful Browser Add-on is WOT which gives an indication of how trustworthy is any Internet site. Sites are User-rated and if a site has a poor reputation an On-screen message appears.

http://www.mywot.com/