@stonehead Hi! I'm glad you asked because I'm sure there are many more people wondering about the same thing! :)

Yes, there is always a risk when you download something from open sources. However, you really cannot trust official sources as well. A good example is Sony's rootkit scandal. [1][2]

Doing basic internet "hygiene" will prevent you from most viruses, though. Having a decent virus scanner will do wonders [3], and the rest comes down to common sense. Be very careful with executables, keep your software (like PDF readers) up to date, look for settings to turn off scripts and perhaps consider sanitizing your PDFs before opening them. [4][5]

An interesting point on the aforementioned website is the following:

"With budgets getting tighter, we understand the appeal of free antivirus software. While there have been great changes in free subscriptions, the most notable being they now offer real-time malware protection, they are still minimal compared to a full antivirus security suite.

There are some exceptions, but most free antivirus programs don't offer web protections. This means they won't stop malware from downloading if you accidentally click on a malicious link. They will snatch it before it has a chance to infract your computer, but we feel better than a threatening file doesn't get that far into the process."

I hope this helped you on your way, and if not, do let me know! :)

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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/01/sony_rootkit_drm
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/10/autorunning_away/
[3] https://www.techradar.com/best/best-free-antivirus (go to the product's websites manually to avoid tracking through links)
[4] https://github.com/Kerbalnut/Sanitize-PDF
[5] https://www.webpdf.de/en/pdf-redact-and-sanitize

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#pdf #security #virus #script #macro #worm #epub #software #antivirus #rootkit #sanitize

#Scholastic Attempted To #Sanitize #Japanese #History in the Name of ‘Amplifying #Asian Voices’

https://www.themarysue.com/scholastic-attempted-to-sanitize-japanese-history-in-the-name-of-amplifying-asian-voices/

Earbuds so clean and new
Follow these instructions true
Sanitize AirPods too

#airpods #clean #earbuds #sanitize #haiku #poetry

https://www.engadget.com/how-to-clean-airpods-earbuds-150023325.html

https://bsquarebulletin.com/2023/02/24/new-job-for-coordinating-cleaning-of-monroe-county-jail-now-has-description-on-clear-path-to-creation/

#Jail #Clean #Sanitize #MonroeCounty #CountyCouncil #Personnel #NewJob #JobDescription #CountyCommissioners

@MorriganResists I'm sorry to hear about your chronic herpes. For unknown reasons, #HerpesZoster (#shingles) is becoming more common, and a fair number of people will have recurrences.

We should never underestimate viruses. Many can cause long term (or later) effects.

The good news is that preventing one can help prevent most. If more people were cautious, we'd all be safer!

#AirQuality #QualityMasks #Handwashing #Ventilation #Filtration #Sanitize #StayHomeWhenSick

#Sanitize.

Oh no.
I feel a fever coming.
This is not good.
I better head back home.
😳
#StayHome #PhysicalDistancing #sanitize #WashYourHands #WearYourMask #health

அரசாங்கம் அறிவித்துள்ள நோயை கட்டுப்படுத்தும் முறையை பின்பற்றுங்கள் அனைவரையும் பாதுகாப்பாக வைத்திருக்க நம்மாலான முயற்சி செய்வோம் ! #MaskUpIndia
#MaskUp #sanitize #vaccinate #SocialDistancing