How will you know if a certain file has a virus?
830745
You do not until you open it that is why it is always good to scan it before you open it
1046207
I'd not worry about which are and which aren't (infected)...I'd run a virus program that scans, cleans, disinfects and deletes infected files on ALL computers.  That way you have no worries about trying to figure out which ones are, or aren't, and cover all the bases in one swoop!\n\nPS...try Panda Virus Scan, the professional edition...it's the best on the market, with hourly updates on newest viruses!
23248
They can, if you aren't careful what you download.  For instance say you are looking for a particular song and you come across a file the purports to be that song but you look at the file size and it says 500KB for example.  That is most likely not a song and is probably a virus.  Most songs are in the area of 3MB to 5MB so if you see something that is too small to be the file you are actually looking for it is probably a virus.  Then there are the actual songs/programs themselves that have an embedded virus and the only way to detect them is with a virus scanner.  Always, always scan the file(s) from a P2P client before you run them.\n\nIf you want to make sure you never get a virus from a P2P client, get AVG Free Edition.
415706
you sure it wasn't a virus you received?
692472
"Is there a virus that can format your hard drive?"\nIt could do\n\n"If your hard drive is formatted is there a way to find out how it was formatted?"\nNope, Everything is wiped clean off your hard drive\n\nI suggest you get an anti virus program, its free:\nhttp://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10503939.html?tag=lst-0-2
102180
If you click on the file, it will give you more information, like where it is located.\n\nBoot into Safe Mode (hold F8 when the computer is loading).  Then you simply go to the file and delete it manually.\n\nQuite often, this is because it is already loaded.  Booting in safe mode normally prevents anything from loading on boot-up.  You can delete it easily then.\n\nOr you can pull the hard drive, and then scan it in another computer.\n\nI work at a computer store, and we do all virus scanning in a seperate computer.
120079
If you stupidly opened said file out of curiosity, then there is the heightened risk of having let a worm or virus and the like into your computer.  Could be innocent hoax or could be harmful crash?
611097
ppl!!! plz give complete info, like operating system, and extention of file,\n\nif its windows, just click on the file , then it will give u an option to find the\n\nappropriate program to open that file on the internet,\n\ngo there and download the file, its probably compressed, \n\nand always have a antivirus software installed in case its a virus
995723
limewire, but beware of viruses
947465
Then your computer will get infected. That's why you have to use a good antivirus program and when it finds an infected file delete that file!  Here you have some good and free antivirus programs:\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/
150545
Download an anti-virus program and complete a full scan. A free program you can download is AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/)
59868
Try trendmicro.com, they have a free virus scan online and it is very helpful.
903
Just scan the file for viruses after you download it.  A general rule of thumb is don't download something like a "bios" update from a hacking site or anything that looks like it "might" not be legit.  Check the size of the file versus the size of the same file posted on other sites.
100249
It's best to scan with several virus/spyware programs. There's several online ones free that you can use. I like panda and bitdefender best because they've found the most viruses.\nhttp://www.jimmyr.com/security.php
209716
Check for viruses on Ur computer
734411
BE VERY CAREFUL, although the files may be corrupt, they may also be a virus, trojan, or other harmful active code. Delete them
575125
If you are trying to save downloads to your computer from the internet,put them in "my documents". After saving to this place,scan for viruses before you open them.