Scan Downloads with VirusTotal: The Digital Bouncer for Sketchy Files¶

TL;DR: VirusTotal is the bouncer your files deserve. Use it or wake up to a PC that’s mining crypto for a hacker in Minsk.

How to use VirusTotal¶

For paranormal file activity¶

1. Go to virustotal.com (No signup needed!)

2. Upload the sketchy file (or paste a download URL if it’s from the web)

3. Wait for the scan (60+ antivirus engines + AI chew on it)

4. Read the report:

   • ✅ 0 detections? Probably safe (but still side-eye it).

   • ⚠️ 1-3 detections? Risky—could be a false positive, but why chance it?

   • 🚨 4+ detections? YEET IT INTO THE SUN. (Even if it’s from your “tech-savvy” cousin.)

For the extra suspicious¶

1. Right-Click Scanning (Windows/Mac/Linux):

   • Install VirusTotal Desktop → Right-click any file → “Scan with VirusTotal”

   • Integrates with Windows Explorer, macOS Finder, and Linux file managers.

2. Browser Extension: VT4Browsers lets you scan downloads before they hit your PC.

3. Hash Check (For Nerds):

   • Already have a file? Get its SHA256 hash (use certutil -hashfile thesuspiciousfile.exe SHA256 on Windows).

   • Paste the hash into VirusTotal’s search bar—instantly see if it’s known malware.

Interpreting results (The fine print)¶

• “Undetected” but shady? Check the “behaviour” tab—if it’s secretly contacting Russian IPs, bin it.

• “Heuristic” flags? AI thinks it acts like malware. Trust the machines.

• “PUA” (Potentially Unwanted Application)? Often adware/bloatware. Still gross—delete.

Why this matters in 2025¶

• AI-generated malware now evades traditional antivirus. VirusTotal’s crowd-powered scans catch what your AV misses.

• “Zero-day” attacks spread fast—if 3+ engines flag it, someone knows it’s bad.