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This file is dangerous, so Chrome has blocked it

Google Chrome and other browsers use mechanisms to detect potentially malicious files. However, one drawback of this approach is that browsers often mistakenly classify unknown files as malicious. This is due to the use of heuristic methods, which in translation means "guessing" or "speculation".

Solution

Regardless, we still do not recommend disabling Safe Browsing mode. Instead, if you are certain, you can choose to keep the downloaded file:

1. Attempt to download the file and notice the error
2. Click the three vertical dots in the top right of the browser window
3. Click Downloads
4. Click Keep dangerous file > Click Keep anyway
5. Open file

or temporarily disable the feature:

1. In the top-right corner of the browser window, click the three dots icon.
2. Select "Settings" from the menu.
3. Select "Privacy and security" on the left side of the page.
4. In the section "Privacy and security", click "Security".
5. Select "No protection" (not recommended).
6. Confirm the following pop-up with "Turn off".
7. Download the file in question.
8. Repeat steps 1.- 4. to return to the security settings.
9. Recommended: Select "Enhanced protection" to re-enable safe browsing.

Symantec/Norton Products detecting WS.Reputation.1

WS.Reputation.1 is not a real virus category, it is just the name that Symantec uses for files that "have a low reputation score". It is an internal algorithm of Norton Antivirus that, by collecting data on which files you and other users use, tries to assess the reputation of each file based on the cumulative experience of all users. This system operates based on cloud technologies, where information about files, their behavior, usage frequency, and sources is uploaded to a centralized database. Thus, if a file does not have sufficient data regarding its safety or reputation, Norton may mark it as WS.Reputation.1.

WS.Reputation.1 is a threat classification used by Norton Antivirus. It is related to "Reputation-Based Security," which is based on the reputation of files on the internet.

When Norton encounters a new or little-known file that does not have a sufficient reputation history (for example, it hasn't been downloaded or used by many users), it marks it as WS.Reputation.1. This does not necessarily mean the file is malicious but indicates that it is potentially unsafe due to a lack of information about its behavior and distribution.

Here is what is indicated below:

• Very Few Users - Fewer than 5 users in the Norton Community have used this file.
• Very New - This file was released less than 1 week ago.
• Medium - This file risk is medium.