How to tell if a download is safe? & related internet safety ?

17 years ago

I know I've seen this before, but now I'm drawing a blank. I was just given a Minolta Dimage scanner (AF 2840) - for free by a neighbor leaving town. She did not have the manual or power cord. While this is an older model, I think it's worth buying the power cord (about $35 with shipping on ebay). In searching around, I found a place to download the manual - from a place called retrevo.com. I wanted to use my McAfee SiteAdvisor - but it said the site didn't provide identification. Not sure if that's something to stay away from. I did go and download the manual and saved it. I haven't opened the pdf yet. Is there a way to test if it's safe before I open it? Am I already in trouble?

I guess I'm not sure how to use McAfee SiteAdvisor and would welcome any explanation - along with the appropriate tool for checking downloads - and the right procedure for testing safety on something like this. I wasn't sure if there was a way to test it before downloading. I am dimly recalling some firefox extension that could open it online - perhaps that means it doesn't actually get on my computer.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Lynn.

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Comments (12)

marooma
17 years ago
Lynn,

I've download from retrovo before with no problems but I found what you are looking for on the minolta website. The link is below. About halfway down the page is a PDF download in english labeled SCAN DUAL III. That is what you need. HTH.
Someone else will have to answer the other question.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: Minolta Download Page
marooma
17 years ago
Lynn,

If you need the Windows drivers, the link is below. HTH.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: DiMAGE Scan Dual III Ver 1.0.0 - Win
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lynnalexandra
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi, Terry. Thank you on all counts. Good to know that retrovo is safe. And thanks for thinking of the drivers - that had just slipped my mind all together. Of course, I don't have the software that came with this so I'd need that too. Now - for the naive question - are drivers the only thing I need? (perhaps I should be posting this elsewhere?) I know it originally came with Photoshop Elements 2.0 as well - but at this point I'm hoping that I can use another photo editing software (I have photofiltre, picasa, irfanview - but haven't spent much time learning them yet - just a little dabbling).

Still curious for future reference as to how to check the safety of a site - and a download.

Thanks.
Lynn.
marooma
17 years ago
Lynn,

Personally, I know of plugins for Firefox that are supposed to check websites but I've never used them. If I download something, I always right-click on the file and scan it with my anti-virus. Raven should see this post and answer that question.
I think it depends on who makes the scanner. Some just provide the scanner and twain drivers and they will interface with other graphics programs. Some provide small programs along with the drivers for graphics manipulation.
I know irfanview has a place to select the twain source but I've never used it.

Terry
grandms
17 years ago
Lynn, when you do a download, choose Save rather than Run. Go where you have saved it (desktop, for example)and you can right-click and scan with your AV and/or Malwarebytes if you have that.

Don't know much about the McAfee site selector, but I use WOT which does pretty much the same thing. If a site is safe, it will show a green circle.
marooma
17 years ago
Lynn,

At the link below you can download the WOT for Internet Explorer and there's a link below it for the Firefox. HTH.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: WOT - Web of Trust
lynnalexandra
Original Author
17 years ago
grandms - thanks. I did just save the file, rather than Run. And now I downloaded WOT - so I can rightclick nad have WOT check the download.
Thanks, everyone.
lynnalexandra
Original Author
17 years ago
So I went to where I had downloaded (but not opened) the pdf file with the manual. When I rightclick it I don't have an option to scan. The options I get are:

Open
Open Containing Folder
Go Download Page
Copy Download Link
Select All
Remove from list

So I'm stumped again. how can I check if the pdf is safe to open?

I also realized that the Firefox extension I have is called "Open it Online." - is anyone familiar with that? I think I downloaded it in a mania of excitement over all the great Firefox extensions. It must have sounded great - but I have never used it.

Any help is appreciated.
Lynn.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
I would have suggested the WOT add on also. And always right click and scan before opening anything you download.
good work!
marooma
17 years ago
Lynn,

WOT is only for checking the website, not files. Personally, I think a plugin for Firefox that allows you to open a file on the website is dangerous.
The file can be saved onto your harddrive with no risk but after it's saved you need to scan it with an antivirus to be sure it's safe to open and doesn't contain anything bad.

Terry
owbist
17 years ago
Now - for the naive question - are drivers the only thing I need?

Yes, you need the drivers to run the scanner of course. But as for all the other stuff that may have been on the original CD, that is not needed. Once you have created a scan and saved it to your computer you can use what ever photo editing software you have to work with the scans.

That looks a very good scanner and the $35 might be well spent for the power cord. Scanners may not be every day items but over time can be very beneficial, I would not be without mine.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
sorry Lynn we were posting at the same time and I did not see your question about open it online, I did get that add on to check it out but have not found it helpful for me, I also do not like to open anything with out scanning it so I am in the habit of downloading it to my pc then scanning with a right click using AV and malwarebytes.

the advantage to open it online is if someone is using a pc that does not have any type of office programs on it or photo programs, with open it online you can use the options in it to for example open a document file using google apps there by not needing office or open office to view it.
with pictures you can select to use their option of picnik to open the picture and do any editing you may need to do.
So in those situations it can be very helpful.

I have office programs on all of my computers so really don't need it for that and I have the picnik addon already in firefox and use it often so I have that base covered also.

To find the options for that add on when you click on the tools list it is listed right there and if you put your cursor on it the options button is shown.

How to tell if a download is safe? & related internet safety ?

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How to tell if a download is safe? & related internet safety ?

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