How can I be sure a download is free of malware?

[Nisko]

How can I be sure a download is free of malware and otherwise safe? Also, I have the least expensive subscription to Giganews (3.06GB) and 20 connections. Will this inhibit my being able to download? Now that I've looked up my Giganews specs, I set SABnzbd to 10 connections. Since I have 20 available, should I change SABnzbd? How? One more thing: How do I get started with my first download (just for practice)? I'm sure it will generate more questions from me!!! Thank you.

[shypike]

You cannot be sure, ever.
Just don't download software and execute or install it.
Stick to non-executable content AND make sure your OS and apps are up to date.

[redfarsi]

There's a lot of stuff floating around that requires you to do some surveys in order to obtain a password to .rar files, you can check with the IRC channel if nzb is legit.
Stick to trusted binaries/groups and indexing websites.

[inpheaux]

How can I be sure a download is free of malware and otherwise safe?

You can't. You have to hope your anti-malware solution can autodetect stuff.

Also, I have the least expensive subscription to Giganews (3.06GB) and 20 connections. Will this inhibit my being able to download? Now that I've looked up my Giganews specs, I set SABnzbd to 10 connections. Since I have 20 available, should I change SABnzbd? How?

There should be no need to use more than 10 connections. Also, you're seriously overpaying for Service. Consider using Supernews, which is only $4/mo more but gives you unlimited bandwidth. Supernews is the same service as Giganews, so you won't see any speed degredation.

One more thing: How do I get started with my first download (just for practice)? I'm sure it will generate more questions from me!!! Thank you.

http://wiki.sabnzbd.org/usage

[Nisko]

Thank you very much.

[Nisko]

There's a lot of stuff floating around that requires you to do some surveys in order to obtain a password to .rar files, you can check with the IRC channel if nzb is legit.
Stick to trusted binaries/groups and indexing websites.

Such as? I used to Torrent and got burned a few times. Don't want that to ever happen again. How do I find the trusted trusted binaries/groups and indexing websites (what is an Indexing Website?)? Also, after I download a file, should I put it through VirusTotal.com for a check? Or is that for other kinds of files (not binary)?

[Nisko]

How can I be sure a download is free of malware and otherwise safe?

You can't. You have to hope your anti-malware solution can autodetect stuff.

I think I read somewhere that the binaries are much safer than Torrents. True? Why?

Also, I have the least expensive subscription to Giganews (3.06GB) and 20 connections. Will this inhibit my being able to download? Now that I've looked up my Giganews specs, I set SABnzbd to 10 connections. Since I have 20 available, should I change SABnzbd? How?

There should be no need to use more than 10 connections. Also, you're seriously overpaying for Service. Consider using Supernews, which is only $4/mo more but gives you unlimited bandwidth. Supernews is the same service as Giganews, so you won't see any speed degredation.

One more thing: How do I get started with my first download (just for practice)? I'm sure it will generate more questions from me!!! Thank you.

http://wiki.sabnzbd.org/usage

Will I get access to all the same binary groups with Supernews? Also, I noticed that each price tier has a GB associated with it. I have been assuming that that is a limit. If so, is it per month? And if the file(s) I want to download are larger than that, what happens if I stay with the same low rate I'm paying now? I'm getting the idea that the only way to go is 'unlimited' access so I can download anything. True? Thank you.

[inpheaux]

I think I read somewhere that the binaries are much safer than Torrents. True? Why?

A Usenet connection can't be eavesdropped on, while Torrents are all by definition spread out amongst a swarm of users with equal visibility. There's still malware regardless of what service you use.

Will I get access to all the same binary groups with Supernews?

There's only one "Usenet". The only reason you wouldn't get access to a specific group or set of groups is if the service filtered them, and no paid services filter anything. Furthermore, since Giganews and Supernews are running on the identical feed coming off the same servers, there is zero difference apart from how many days of content you get access to.

Also, I noticed that each price tier has a GB associated with it. I have been assuming that that is a limit. If so, is it per month? And if the file(s) I want to download are larger than that, what happens if I stay with the same low rate I'm paying now? I'm getting the idea that the only way to go is 'unlimited' access so I can download anything. True? Thank you.

You paid for 5GB of data transfer per month. That barely covers a single uncompressed DVD of content. If it runs out, you have to either wait another month, or pay another $5 immediately. With Supernews there is no data transfer cap. The only limit is however much data you can physically move over your internet connection on a monthly basis.

[Nisko]

Thank you for your very detailed reply. You and the other folks that have responded to my questions have been very kind and helpful and I hope that, when I become more proficient at binaries, that I can help others.