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8Virustotal is a powerful online service that allows you to scan files and URLs against multiple antivirus engines and other security tools to detect potential threats. Here's how you can use it to identify malicious files:
Access Virustotal: Go to the Virustotal website (https://www.virustotal.com/gui/). You can either upload a file directly or enter a URL to scan a file that's hosted online.
Upload the File: If you have a file on your computer that you want to scan, click on the "Choose file" button and select the file from your local storage. Alternatively, if you want to scan a URL, paste the URL into the provided box.
Wait for Analysis: Once you've uploaded the file or entered the URL, Virustotal will begin analyzing it. This process may take a few moments, depending on the size of the file and the current workload on Virustotal's servers.
View Results: After the analysis is complete, Virustotal will display the results. It will show you the detection ratio, which indicates the number of antivirus engines that detected the file as malicious out of the total number of engines that scanned it.
Check Details: Click on the "Details" tab to view more information about the analysis results. This tab provides additional insights into the file, such as the names of the antivirus engines that detected it as malicious, any behavioral information, and comments from other users.
Interpret the Results: If a large number of antivirus engines have flagged the file as malicious, it's likely that the file contains some form of malware. However, keep in mind that false positives can occur, so it's essential to review the details carefully and consider other factors, such as the reputation of the source or the context in which the file was encountered.
Take Action: Depending on the results and your assessment of the file, you can take appropriate action. If the file is indeed malicious, you should delete it from your system and take steps to mitigate any potential damage. If you're unsure or need further assistance, you may want to consult with a cybersecurity expert.
By following these steps, you can effectively use Virustotal to identify malicious files and protect your system from potential threats.
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