We’re all aware of the need to be careful when we download something from the internet, but how does ‘being careful’ actually work?
In this short post, I’ll show you how to enjoy the benefits of the internet as safely as possible. The screenshots in this how-to are all taken from Windows 7, so if you’re not running Windows 7 the details may be different, but the core principles will be the same. Onwards!
Step 1
Do not rely on your Windows firewall etc to keep your computer safe. Buy a good, reputable antivirus software and install it. I alternate between Kaspersky antivirus and BitDefender antivirus, which are both reputed to be the ‘best’ at the moment. From memory, both cost under $50 US for 12 months protection. That price includes both the software itself and the updates that keep it current with information about all the latest viruses. Antivirus without updates is like a car with all four tyres deflated.
Step 2
Install your antivirus and make sure it can access updates automatically. You may think you’ll do it every day, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions…right?
Step 3
Once your antivirus software is installed and updated, it will work quietly in the background, keeping your pc safe. BUT! You can also use it to ‘manually’ check every app you download from the internet.
This check should be carried out before you actually ‘run’ the app or install it. How? So glad you asked. π
Step 3a
Download the app and save it to a location on your computer. It should look something like this:

Step 3b
Once you download and save the app., use Windows Explorer to find it. My location will look different to yours. Don’t worry, just keep looking until you find the app on your computer.
Step 3c
Once you’ve found the app, right click on the thumbnail [picture] of it. This will open the right click menu as shown below:

Again, my computer will look different to yours, but every version of Windows I have ever used has a right click menu, and on it you will find the name of your antivirus software.
Step 3d
Click the name of your antivirus software and you should see a little sub-menu. On that little sub-menu you will find an option that allows you to scan the app. Click the scan option.
Most reputable apps will only take a short time to scan and the scan will come up as ‘clean’. When it does, you’re ready to use the app. If, however, the scan comes up with an error of some sort – DO NOT USE THE APP!!!! Delete it immediately because you’re better safe than sorry.
If the app is one you’ve paid good money for, contact the publisher and explain that your antivirus has found an error. A good publisher will thank you and send you a ‘clean’ version.
Okay, that’s it. Learn to love your right click menu. It really can save your bacon. π
cheers
Meeks
July 25th, 2021 at 4:26 am
You make it look so easy, Andrea! Now to locate Windows Explorer. Ha ha ha. (Just kidding, I hope).
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July 25th, 2021 at 9:11 am
lmao – now you’re scaring me…. :p
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July 26th, 2021 at 2:57 am
Ha ha ha. Yeah, It’s that bad.
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July 26th, 2021 at 9:23 am
-facepalm- I’m going to have to work on you. π
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July 24th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
I’m very fond of right-clicking myself. π
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July 24th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
-grin- Atta girl!
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July 24th, 2021 at 6:42 pm
π
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July 24th, 2021 at 11:57 am
I use the rt click quite regularly but thank you for the reminder about scanning apps we can’t be too careful, can we…Have a great weekend π
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July 24th, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Ah that pleases me no end! Have a great weekend too, Carol. π
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July 24th, 2021 at 1:24 am
Thanks for the excellent advice. I like Kaspersky, how it will block a questionable site. I do forget about the right-click menu sometimes, appreciate the reminder.
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July 24th, 2021 at 11:12 am
Welcome, Pat! I’ve long thought the right click menu is one of the best things about Windows!
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July 24th, 2021 at 11:52 pm
I have good and bad memories of battles with Windows. However, my experience with WordStar back in the day on a CP/M Kaypro2 was a worthy intro to computing and the joys and frustrations thereof. My solo flight was hair-raising, but satisfying.
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July 25th, 2021 at 9:16 am
My dear friend…WordStar was my introduction to the new fangled ‘personal computer’ as well!!!!! High Five. π
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July 26th, 2021 at 12:52 am
I loved WordStar. When I started at Cleveland State Univ the “industry standard” and mandatory word processing thing was WordPerfect 4.5. There was a computer lab at CSU that was free to students, and much of my computer knowledge sprung from that source. The CSU training built on my extremely limited training on the newspaper, which has just entered the digital age. I was not fulltime then, so I was down on the list of ” to-be trained.” That was a whole different ballgame. than WP. My “real” training, so to speak, was by myself with my new CP/M Manual that came with my Kaypro2 paraphernalia. I have a blog post on the subject, I’ll dig it out.
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July 26th, 2021 at 9:30 am
I fell in love with computers while doing Behavioural Sciences at uni. [for the stats]. My exposure to mainframes was minimal but soon after I got a job as PA to the guy heading up the installation of a new mainframe for a bank. The department had all the bells and whistles, including the new fangled personal computers for the programmers. As PA I was taught how to use the ‘latest’ [LAUGH] dual floppy PCs.
Do you remember them? I floppy disk held the program you wanted to use. The second floppy was where you saved your data…
Fond memories π
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July 27th, 2021 at 12:39 am
I have a photo of my granddaughter when she was five, sitting at the Kaypro2 typing something on the keyboard. A novelty…
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July 27th, 2021 at 12:42 am
The WordStar program was on Floppy A, and files were kept on both Floppy A and Floppy B.
When I got my first outfit in 1983 there was no one anywhere around that knew anything about it…not counting newspapers, which were scrambling to catch up to “really-big” media outlets in the world. I was part-time at the paper at the time, so I was on the second tier of priority to learn the system.
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July 24th, 2021 at 11:54 pm
ooh… don’t even mention cell phones to me. If it wasn’t for Scott needing guidance with the cell I would just get a couple of carrier pigeons. Bah humbug! I’m proud of being a Luddite. π
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July 25th, 2021 at 9:14 am
Oh but the poop! -rolls on floor laughing-
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July 26th, 2021 at 12:55 am
a little pigeon poop wouldn’t deter me… anyway, they probably wouldn’t have insisted on sleeping with me like some of my cats. π
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July 26th, 2021 at 9:25 am
lol – that’s true. My special boy, Mitty, slept with me, but none of the others. Now I’m such a restless sleeper I’d probably smoosh them if we shared a bed!
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July 27th, 2021 at 12:29 am
Dottie and Pearl sometimes do actual battle…smacking and lots of complaining…for the lower foot corner of the mattress. Ally often sleeps on the bed, but sometimes I know it only when I get up to go to the loo. When Dottie and Pearl really get into it I kick both of them off the bed completely.
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July 24th, 2021 at 1:22 am
Thanks, Meeks! Have a great weekend!
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July 24th, 2021 at 11:14 am
Thanks, Bette. Same to you. π My Saturday started with welcome sunshine but now it’s all grey and dreary again. Definitely not spring yet.
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July 23rd, 2021 at 4:31 pm
thanks for the simple how to guide! Very good info to have! β€ xoxo
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July 23rd, 2021 at 7:45 pm
-hugs- Welcome!
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