The Safety of File Sharing ?

by BluesBrother 5 Replies latest forum tech-support

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  BluesBrother

  Before I say this, I am not doubting the integrity of the members who kindly share information such as old volumes of WT stuff, or large files of other historic material.

  But a technophobe like me can be spooked by information on the net saying that file sharing sites such as "filesend" and "sendspace" are hotbeds of viruses and malware, that may not be known to the sender and should be avoided.

  So my question is to ask that our more technically competent members are happy to use these sites and download files ?

  Also , what is the implication of clicking the choice "open" rather than "save" when downloading it? Is "open" safer??

  Any comments and reassurance would be gratefully received....
• 

  drwtsn32

  So my question is to ask that our more technically competent members are happy to use these sites and download files ?

  Depends. If I'm downloading a PDF that someone here posts on a file sharing site, I don't worry much. Viruses and malware are typically limited to programs, not document files like PDFs. I would be much more cautious about downloading programs (especially pirated software).

  Also , what is the implication of clicking the choice "open" rather than "save" when downloading it? Is "open" safer??

  No, "open" is not safer. "Save" may be safer but only for people that don't run a realtime antivirus program. By using "save" they can then manually scan the file before "opening" it.

  The main reason I use "save" is so I can specify where to save the file on my system especially if it's something I want to keep. Depending on the browser, using "open" may just put the downloaded file in some temp directory.
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  leavingwt

  What operating system does your computer use?
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  BurnTheShips

  So scan your files. Or have a system with a read only file system that can't get hosed. Download to portable media, and enjoy using a Linux live boot CD. Since a CD is a read only filesystem, a virus can't infect. Reboot and you are clean.

  I use "save" and then I can pick where I put the file. I can then scan it. "Open" does not give you that option.

  http://www.livecdlist.com/

  BTS
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  BluesBrother

  What operating system does your computer use?

  Thanks for the above comments - I am using Windows XP Home ,and Internet Explorer....NB I do have also Eset NOD 32 antivirus programme running
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  Satanus

  I have had absolutely no problems w files from fielsend and sendspace. If you are nervous, just save them and scan them, before you open or use them.

  S