dangerous file download?

Question

dangerous file download?

I was surfing the internet, looking at several olympics websites and ew.com, all safe, when all of a sudden my download window pops up with a file name bcpid and then a string of numbers. I open it, because I was curious, and text edit pops up saying "the content of this file is dangerous." *** happened???

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 1:19 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 16, 2010 1:38 AM in response to crazyshark140

HI,

You surfed to a site that might contain malware. Never open files of that nature. Drag it to the Trash.

Go to the Safari Menu Bar, click Safari/Block Pop Up Windows. That should help.

I just tried the ew.com site without a problem but I have my Block Pop Up Windows checked.

BTW, your profile indicates you are running 10.5.2. It's very important to keep your system software up to date.

Go here, download and install the 10.5.8 combo update.

http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate

The Mac OS X v10.5.8 Update is recommended for Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard users and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and *security of your Mac*.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Klaus1

Level 9

52,873 points

Feb 16, 2010 1:45 AM in response to crazyshark140

You have probably experienced the benefits of the Safari security setting 'Warn when visiting a fraudulent website', which first arrived with Safari 3.2.

If you are interested:

How the Anti-Phishing feature of Safari 3 and 4 works:

http://www.macworld.com/article/137094/2008/11/safarisafebrowsing.html

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Answer 3

Feb 16, 2010 1:55 AM in response to crazyshark140

I would never normally open those things, but I was literally on yahoo olympics, LA times, ew.com, and espn, and I've been studying all weekend+Macs are USUALLY safe from these kinds of things... In retrospect I shouldn't have opened it, but I believe in the safety of my mac, so I was like whatever. In the end, I guess I am safe, because of that text edit thing, which means it didn't actually execute I guess. Weird, since I wasn't random surfing. Go Macs, I guess.

Thanks for the update link Carolyn, but I just recently updated and have a safari version beyond the one in the update! I usually sit on those things, so thankfully I just did it.

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Answer 4

Feb 16, 2010 1:57 AM in response to crazyshark140

You're welcome. Could you please click My Settings on the right side of this window and update your forum profile to reflect 10.5.8. It helps us to help you.

🙂

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Answer 5

Feb 16, 2010 2:16 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

I do have a final question, while I am pretty sure I am safe, is there any way to know for sure? I mean, there aren't a lot of virus scanners out there for Mac, and I did click on the file. Is it something I should be concerned about? Or just not worry about it?

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Answer 6

Feb 16, 2010 2:24 AM in response to crazyshark140

Nothing to be concerned about. There are no Mac viruses in the wild. Do not use 3rd party anti virus software on a Mac. A/V on a Mac will slow down the drive and any 3rd party A/V software is nearly impossible to uninstall.

If and when you decide to upgrade to Snow Leopard, you'll be glad to know it has A/V and malware protection.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/security/

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 7

Feb 16, 2010 2:25 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

I love these forums, thanks so much!

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Answer 8

Feb 16, 2010 2:26 AM in response to crazyshark140

You're welcome and thanks for the stars.

🙂

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Answer 9

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Feb 16, 2010 3:04 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hi Carolyn

what extra a/v features does Snow Leopard have? - I'm still on 10.5.8

thanks

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