Douglas Mutay asks:
I’m used to seeing Gmail scanning an attachment before allowing you to download it. Is this antivirus trustworthy enough so that there is no need to scan it again with your own antivirus?
And just for knowledge, what kind of antivirus is Google using? Thanks!
13 Answers - Write an Answer
Ali Ehsan
December 6, 2012Unlike most antivirus software that comes with online email accounts, the Gmail Antivirus Scanner is exclusive to Gmail and is not an offshoot of a third party. This is both a blessing and a curse. The scanner is intended to work exclusively with Gmail and its unique structure. The benefits are that it works as a first line of defense exclusively within the Gmail infrastructure, rather than as a blanket program added to the system that might not cover all the loopholes.
Well about the question if its trustworthy enough that there’s no need to scan it from your installed Antivirus i guess it depends on you
Lisa Santika Onggrid
December 6, 2012I don’t know what antivirus they’re using, but I think it’s good enough. I haven’t get any infections through my Gmail account, at least. If you’re suspicious, no harm in scanning the attachments again. Better safe than sorry.
You’re right Lisa. Thank you
December 10, 2012ha14
December 6, 2012your realtime protection should popup when you open the attachment and alert you in case virus.
when you upload to gmail, your file will be scanned, for instance google refuse the .exe format…when you download he file it will be re-scanned, now there are some methods to fool google like changing the file format….but still your realtime protection should help you.
If you’ve received an attachment with a virus, our system will attempt to clean the file, so you can still access the information it contains. If the virus can’t be removed from the file, you won’t be able to download it.
http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=25760
I knew Google refuse all .exe attachment but now with the integration of google drive in email attachment, I was able to send google talk .exe file to my friend who couldn’t download it. Did they cancel this policy?
December 10, 2012Rajaa Chowdhury
December 6, 2012This may help you : http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/the-gmail-antivirus-scanner.html
Nikhil Chandak
December 6, 2012check this http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/the-gmail-antivirus-scanner.html
Justin Pot
December 6, 2012Do you need to scan a file after you download it from Gmail? Probably not. Should you still have another antivirus program? If you’re using Windows, yes.
Thanks.
December 10, 2012Victor Ong
December 6, 2012From my experience, Gmail has a very good scanner (either that or I don’t receive malicious emails). However, what I recommend is to install a desktop stand-alone scanner that does real-time protection, and that scans everything that you download. I personally use Microsoft Security Essentials, as it does that job, scanning downloads as it comes in, and its free.
Do a quick google search for Microsoft Security Essentials and click on the Microsoft link. Choose your operating system and download and install
Hope that helped you!
Yes, it did. Thank you Victor.
December 10, 2012Âdil Farôôq
December 7, 2012i think its enough i personally never got infected
josemon maliakal
December 7, 2012I think yes
Klaus-Uwe Mitterer
December 8, 2012I heard that it might be Sophos, but AFAIK Google never officially disclosed which software they are using. They might also have made one themselves. Double-scanning is always a good idea, but I think that Google would be most up to date as far as virus signatures are concerned. Also, your own antivirus should always be set to automatically scan all new files/scan files at execution.
Thanks for these tips.
December 10, 2012Avish Kansakar
December 8, 2012even if the gmail anti-virus missed any potential viruses on your attachment your real-time anti-virus installed in your pc should be able to detect most viruses
Douglas Mutay
December 10, 2012Thank you all for your answers and guidance!
Ahmed Musani
December 11, 2012they are highly sexured. dont worry about downloading attachments.