Safely Run Infected Files
You have downloaded a file, from a source from which you dont know if it is trustable? If your antivirus does not ring any bells, it still can be a virus. There is a way to be one hundred percent sure if it is or if it is not, and to use it safely if it is.
In order to achieve this, we are going to run it in an environment, called a sandbox. A sandbox is a virtual pc, that cleans itself up after done. It also has a virtual registry, virtual hard drive and managed internet access. Sandboxes also log any activity. If you run the infected program in the sandbox, there will be no consequences, since it cleans itself up, after it is done. Afterwards, you can view any files or registry keys generated. If it modifies files like svchost.exe, copy itself to all peer to peer folders or add itself to the system startup in six different ways, it is most likely a virus.
There are free leight weighted sandboxes avaible, like ‘sandboxie’. If you still don’t like this idea, or simply may not install this kind of software, there are plenty of online alternatives. ThreatExpert and Anubis are good ones, and give you an report of any system changes. These services also scan the sample with multiple antivirus solutions.
However, some viruses have the ability to break out the sandbox and infect your real system. Ten percent of the current viruses have that ability. So it is advised to use an good antivirus product and firewall in conjunction with a sandbox!
Review on good antivirus and optimization software, that has proven itself during recent work breakouts can be found here:
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Safely Run Infected Files