I'm considering installing a file but want to be extra cautious about whether it's malware. I've run it through VirusTotal, and here's the link to the scan: [https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a8e27eb2de9002b9da27d455a40311d8e8278c23cc0aaabe84856662b9d13cb6](https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/a8e27eb2de9002b9da27d455a40311d8e8278c23cc0aaabe84856662b9d13cb6). How do I determine if this file is safe to install?
3 Answers
I wouldn't risk it. Kaspersky's heuristic scan suggests that this app tries to replace system files, which is generally a red flag. Even if the developer isn’t malicious, modifying system files can lead to issues down the line. If those files are messed with, you might have a broken OS that can't identify what went wrong later on.
Note that the last analysis was 6 days ago. I recommend clicking 'Reanalyze' to see if anything has changed. Also, it was first submitted three and a half months ago, so if it were a real virus, I'd expect more antivirus software to flag it by now.
I think it’s likely a false positive. The fact that only one antivirus flagged it while others didn’t suggests it might be fine. Plus, it's available on GitHub and has been up on Deviant Art for years. Some antivirus programs are just overly cautious with certain apps, labeling them incorrectly.
Thanks for that insight! I feel a bit better about it now.
I ran it on a virtual machine, and it seemed fine. Should I feel differently about it now?