Can a virus infect the PC via right click?

Irethel · 17 Mar 2023

Say for example i have an executable on my desktop which might be a virus.
Running it could obviously harm my system, but what if i just rightklick the file without running it?
Can rightklicking a virus somehow activate it? Could the rightklick make use of a zeroday exploit or anything similar?
What if i where to rightklick and open the file properties tab to find out more details about the potenital virus, could this be dangerous?
I've asked myself this question for a while, is the rightklick safe?

Paul Black · 17 Mar 2023

Hello @Irethel,

Why take the chance ?

You should really FIRST check the integrity of the file at > VirusTotal

I hope this helps.

farrellart · 17 Mar 2023

If you have any doubts, don't touch it and drag it to the wastebasket to delete it.

What makes you think it's a virus? was it flagged by AntiVirus/Defender? Like Paul Black states, why take the chance?

flashh4 · 17 Mar 2023

I agree, you can run it through Windows Security also !! Scan an item with Windows Security
To scan specific files or folders, right-click the ones you want then select Scan with Microsoft Defender. ...
To turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Security, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. !

bro67 · 17 Mar 2023

Even dragging a file to the trash can trigger it to run if it is shadowing as malware.

Irethel · 18 Mar 2023

Judging from the replys it seems, yes a virus can be triggered even by just inspecting the file.

Ghot · 18 Mar 2023

Irethel said:

Judging from the replys it seems, yes a virus can be triggered even by just inspecting the file.

This is true.

Generally... it's hoped that whatever virus protection you have, will "notice" if it's a virus or not.
But some viruses are so new, that your antivirus program may not "know" about it yet.

dalchina · 18 Mar 2023

I used to have a rt click option to submit files to Virustotal....

Here's how:
Releases . SamuelTulach/VirusTotalUploader . GitHub