Endpoint Protection

Hello,

I would like to download a video-file (.mkv seemingly) from an unknown source. However, I'm scared of catching a virus.

Therefore I would like to know what risk I would be taking by downloading such a file onto my computer which has Norton 360 installed.

Can I download that file? Can I download such files in general? Is there any risk at all? If so, how serious is it?

Thanks in advance!

Norton will scan the download first to ensure it is ok before allowing it on your PC.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend downloading from unknown sources. Seems like you already know that though...

Normally data files such as .mkv, .mp4, .mp3 etc., are not malicious themself. It depents on from where you are downloading it. If you are downloading it from a torrent or a an untrusted website you must be careful as they might purposefully let you download and then track you machine info and then compromise it.

There are browser plugins that could help you to identify malicious sites. While downloading, the antivirus program should take care of it.

Thanks to both of you for your answers!

Is my system, my primary harddrive with my OS (Windows) on it safe if I download the video on my secondary harddrive? Also, do I additionally have to put the video-player on my secondary harddrive too to prevent any risk of "contaminating" the harddrive with my OS?

Thanks in advance for your efforts! 

PS::

@seyad: Is that title "symantec employee" a real thing - do you really work for symantec - or is it just a "fun" , ironic forum title?

Edit:

The download would be from a one-click-hoster.

Not really because you still need to execute the file so it will run from wherever and if a virus will infect your system. Doesn't matter where the video player is but it won't run from a secondary drive. It will run from the primary drive.

Yes, he is a Sym employee.

Try to scan it after download and be sure it's clean before play the video. Or you can move it to some sandbox and test it before play on your computer.

Hi,

Norton has specific product for internet security called as "Norton Internet Security". However latest Norton 360 (version 22.5), the Download Insight - prevents you from downloading files from websites that have a low reputation score within the Norton user community.

As soon as you download the file, you may right-click on the file and run a scan with Norton to make sure that
it's safe.

I think as long as Norton is installed with the latest definitions, you are safe.