Reference number: CH000896

Is this file infected with spyware, virus, or other malware?

Question:

Is this file infected with spyware, virus, or other malware?

Answer:

Computer spyware, viruses, and other malware can infect a computer through several different types of files, however are often infected through executable files and/or scripts. If you're concerned about a file being infected with a computer virus make sure an antivirus scanner is running on the computer. If there is a virus, spyware, or other malware it should be detected when the file is executed or during the next full virus or spyware scan.

Alternatively you can also often check single files to determine if they're infected in Windows by right-clicking the file and choose the option to scan the file.

Because many viruses can infect almost any executable file or other files it would be impossible for Computer Hope to tell any user if a particular file has been infected over e-mail. If you're concerned about a file being infected simply make sure to run an antivirus and spyware scan on your computer.

• A listing of antivirus protection programs including free versions can be found on document CH000514.
• We also suggest Windows users have one or more spyware protection programs running on their computer. We suggest downloading one of the programs listed under the removal programs section on document CH000578.

Additional information:

• Additional information about removing a virus can be found on document CH000931.
• See our malware, spyware, and virus dictionary definition for additional information about each of these terms.