Could uploading a file to virustotal infect my computer?

martin57

Hi folks,

I have been wondering about this for a while.

if I upload a file to virustotal for analysis, could this actually infrect my computer as I believe that I have to open the file just before it is sent?

Thanks for any advice about this.

martin57

waddler_8

Put simply, no. The file is uploaded and analysed on their server, not your computer.

Deru

If it's an EXE file, if you don't run it, then choosing the file by browsing to it and choosing upload will not infect your computer. Assuming your computer isn't already infected!

martin57

Deru wrote: »

If it's an EXE file, if you don't run it, then choosing the file by browsing to it and choosing upload will not infect your computer. Assuming your computer isn't already infected!

Thanks for replies. The thing is when I click browse to the file on virustotal site, I have to click the option of open so that it is uploaded to their site.

I am running windows 7 and cant see any option to upload withing clicking on open first.

I was always under the impression that open and run were the same commands.

Still not sure about this. Maybe someone could have a quick go on virustotal site and then report back.

Thnanks a lot for your help.

Martin57

esuhl

martin57 wrote: »

Thanks for replies. The thing is when I click browse to the file on virustotal site, I have to click the option of open so that it is uploaded to their site.

Windows has standard code built-in for common tasks built in so programmers don't waste time re-programming the same thing, and so that Windows has a consistent look and feel.

One bit of "built-in" code is the "open/save dialog box", which pops up in any application when you want to open or save (i.e. "save as") a file. I think the button can either say "save" or "open", so that's why it doesn't say something like "upload".

I suppose you could think of it as "opening" the file with the uploading program (rather than executing the file on your system).

martin57

esuhl wrote: »

Windows has standard code built-in for common tasks built in so programmers don't waste time re-programming the same thing, and so that Windows has a consistent look and feel.

One bit of "built-in" code is the "open/save dialog box", which pops up in any application when you want to open or save (i.e. "save as") a file. I think the button can either say "save" or "open", so that's why it doesn't say something like "upload".

I suppose you could think of it as "opening" the file with the uploading program (rather than executing the file on your system).

Thanks for reply.

That does seem to make sense.

martin57