How to deal with “can be dangerous” download messages in Chrome

I tried to download the latest recently released Ventoy from the project’s GitHub repository. Chrome, the browser I used at the time, displays a notification in the download panel at the bottom of the browser window.

He said that the downloaded zip file could be dangerous and asked me if I wanted to submit it to Google for analysis.

FILENAME can be dangerous. Send to Google to scan?

The only option Google Chrome showed at the time was a submit button. Next to it was a down arrow that, when activated, displayed additional options.

The following options were presented:

• Scan file, which does the same as send.
• Discard: delete the downloaded file immediately, without scanning.
• Open Now – Didn’t open the file, but removed the ‘send’ message and unlocked the file on the local disk.
• Show in folder – Open the folder where the file was downloaded.
• Cancel – Also deletes the file on the local system.

A quick review of the chrome: // download management page showed only two options for the file.

Discarding would delete the downloaded file again, which Chrome blocks until the user makes a decision, and keeping it will unlock it so that it can be interacted with on the local device.

So what is the best option to deal with the message? You can choose the ‘send’ or scan file ‘options for Google to scan. Google verifies the file and will automatically unlock it if the scan shows nothing malicious.

Some users may prefer not to submit files to Google, for example when the files are personal in nature or if the files should not be shared for other reasons. In that case, it is better to select the “open now” option or, better in my opinion, the “hold” button on the chrome: // downloads page.

In case Google Chrome continues to put obstacles in the way, you may want to consider using a different browser or download manager to download files from the internet. Suitable candidates include Free Download Manager, or the commercial, but worth every penny, Internet Download Manager.

Now you: What program or browser do you use to download?

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