If you see a virus-infected file warning for Google Drive, then in this post, we will look in detail at what the message signifies and how we can protect our system from virus or malicious code. If the infected file is uploaded to Drive, then here are the warning messages or issues that users face; Unable to Share: If the file is infected with a virus or if you are sharing any illegal, harmful, or pirated file, then Drive will block the sharing option citing violation of the Terms of Service. If you feel the block is false, you can ask for a review.
File is Infected with Virus: If you are the owner, then you can download the file without any issues, but remember, ‘This file might harm your computer, so only download this file if you understand the risks’.
Sorry, This File is Infected with a Virus: If you have sharing URL of the viral file, then the download will be blocked, and only the owner is allowed to download infected files. However, you can preview the file inside Google Drive if the format is supported, but the download is restricted.
Use Google Virus Scanner Tool
The best tool for scanning a file online is using Google’s VirusTotal. VirusTotal is a website created by the Spanish security company Hispasec Sistemas and is now owned by Google Chronicle, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. The tool will check the files and their content over a large number of anti-virus engines to see if any of the engine vendors detect any vulnerability. If you have downloaded the file and wish to check the file for viruses, it is best to use VirusTotal. It has a limit of 650 MB file size for scanning.
Just visit the VirusTotal siteUpload the downloaded file to the VirusTotal site. The site will take a minute to scan the uploaded file and its readable content for viruses and show you the result.
How to Download Infected File?
If you are the owner of the file, then you can download your file directly without any issues.
But if the file is shared with you then the download option is not available. You can try a simple trick to download the infected file. Here are Simple Steps; Conclusion: If you think you have downloaded a file that is loaded with a virus then it is better to check the file before executing it on your computer. A file stating in the PC does not do any harm unless it is executed.
