Computer Problem (These files might be harmful to your computer)?

Question

I was trying to organize some stuff on my computer when I got this message, "These files might be harmful to your computer, Your internet security settings suggest that one or more files may be harmful." They're simple .bmp files used for photoshop.

I've tried to lower my security settings from the Internet Options, but it doesn't seem like it is working. How do I remove this annoying message?

t's not from my Anti-Virus software. I've scanned the files and it's telling me that they're completely fine.

The messages are coming from Windows Security.
I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium.

Answer 1

You can go ti control panel, Security, then go to firewall and adjust the setting so Photoshop is an allowed program.

Answer 2

That's just a generic warning Internet Explorer displays when you download a file from the internet. The other possibility is that your security centre is just being a little touchy with regard to files you have downloaded. But since you say you created these files, it might be safe to open them in Photoshop - because if it isn't a genuine .bmp then Photoshop won't be able to open it.



If you are not sure about what a file is, use your antivirus software to scan the individual file before you open it.



The problem with viruses and naughty files is that they sometimes add file extensions to the bad file to fool you into believing it is another format. So for example what you think is an image file is actually an executable like mypicture.bmp.exe - check the file extension to see if it is a genuine bmp file, and not something just masquerading as a bmp. You might need to change your Windows Explorer settings to unhide the real file extensions.



To do that, go into Windows Explorer (Start > Computer) click Organise > Folder and search options > click the View tab, scroll down until you see the option "hide extensions for known file types" - and uncheck it. Now you will be able to view the real file extensions.

Answer 3

Can you post a screenshot?



Only thing that comes to mind is Windows' marking of files as being "foreign"—that is, not created by your computer. You can right click > Properties and unblock the file manually:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/124367-open-file-security-warning-unblock-file.html



If you have a lot of these, you can use PowerShell to batch process them:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2012/09/14/easily-unblock-all-files-in-a-directory-using-powershell.aspx



If by chance the files really aren't bitmaps, Photoshop simply won't open them. Just be careful opening them directly in Explorer, in case they're actually disguised executable files.

Answer 4

windows security center is very flaky many people ignore it or disable it especially when it starts telling you that you don't have a firewall or an antivirus when you do