Keep your Windows Defender or third-party antivirus active and up to date.

Technically, any file ending in .exe is a program that can perform tasks on your computer. Legitimate installers are usually named Setup.exe or [ProgramName]_Setup.exe . A file named Setup4ik.exe could be:

In the Properties window, check the Details tab for "Copyright" or "Company" information. If it is blank or looks suspicious, do not open it. 3. What if I Already Ran It?

This prevents the file from sending your data to a remote server.

Only download installers from official, reputable sources.

A niche or unofficial tool for a specific minor application.

Enable "File Name Extensions" in your folder settings so you can see if a file is actually an .exe disguised as a document or image. How to Avoid 99% of Malicious EXE Files