: Ask yourself where the file came from. If it was an unsolicited email attachment or a "required" download for a free movie, it is almost certainly a security risk. The Verdict

: Often, these archives promise a specific piece of software, a game "crack," or a leaked document, but instead contain an executable file (.exe) designed to infect your system.

: Upload the file to VirusTotal , a free service that analyzes files using over 70 different antivirus scanners to see if any detect a threat.

If you have already downloaded this file, until you have taken the following steps: