There's no denying The Internet Archive (also known as Archive.org) is a phenomenally well-stocked library for apps, ebooks, movies, and more.
But just how safe is this non-profit initiative's site to use? Is there a chance you might download malware while acquiring your favorite digitized works?
Let's do some detective work and establish whether The Internet Archive is safe to browse or whether you should exercise caution.
Reviewing Internet Archive's Safety Scores
We use a few trusted online tools when assessing any website's potential safety threats.
Image source: ScamAdviser
See how Internet Archive scored on various safety rating sites below:
- VirusTotal: 0/92 (best possible score)
- ScamAdviser: 100/100 "Trustscore"
- Trustpilot: 3.1/5
While most security rating sites had good things to say about The Internet Archive, Trustpilot's less-than-glowing score had us curious.
Some users complained about The Internet Archive's slow upload and download speeds, bugs, and navigation issues. However, no one complained about viruses, malware, or other cybersecurity issues.
Our Experience of The Internet Archive
After reading through the introductory "How do I borrow a book?" and "How to download files" pages on The Internet Archives' home page, we began curiously browsing the voluminous digital repository.
Image source: The Internet Archive
The site's home page features a staggeringly long "Top Collections" list, where you'll find resources grouped in the following categories:
- Digitized library collections
- Audiobooks
- Art and music
- Movies
- Spirituality and religion
- Films
- Podcasts
We started by exploring the "American Libraries" section. We were pleasantly surprised to find contributions from well-respected organizations like The Boston Library Consortium, the California Digital Library, and the US National Library of Medicine.
Our antivirus software scans marked all files downloaded from these sections as safe, as were any other files we downloaded from other sources.
The Bottom Line: Safe or Not?
The simple answer is yes, but with precautions.
The Internet Archive has many safety precautions and extensive scanning measures in place. However, it cannot verify the integrity of each of the countless media files uploaded to its servers.
We strongly recommend you use your good sense when downloading files from the site and follow the following precautions:
Verify a User's Integrity
Do some detective work and read up about a file's contributor. A well-established university or NPO will not contribute anything malicious, but an obscure user with very few (or even negative) reviews should be avoided.
Check out how we investigate users below.
Scan Your Downloads
Use an antivirus program or online tool to scan your downloaded file.
VirusTotal lets you upload files (smaller than 650 megabytes). Anything larger than 650 megabytes might need a dedicated antivirus software.
Image source: VirusTotal
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Archive's Safety
Despite having a positive experience on The Internet Archive, we wanted to see how others fared.
We gathered the most frequently asked questions from forum sites like Reddit. Check them out below!
Is Archive.org safe and legal?
Yes, Archive.org, also known as The Internet Archive, is both safe and legal. It has been operating since 1996 and is affiliated with the American Library Association, playing a significant role in digital archiving efforts.
Is downloading a game file from The Internet Archive safe?
Downloading game files carries a risk. While The Internet Archive itself is generally safe, games are often uploaded by users who could be associated with pirated content. It's advisable to scan any downloaded files with antivirus software and check them on services like VirusTotal to ensure safety. However, be aware of potential legal and security risks involved with downloading and using cracked software.
Is Archive.org a safe platform for downloading abandonware?
Yes, Archive.org is generally considered a safe platform for downloading abandonware. The website scans all files uploaded for viruses and malware, which helps maintain a safe download environment. However, it's recommended also to use additional security measures such as scanning the downloaded files with VirusTotal to ensure they are free of any threats.
Can malware be uploaded to Archive.org, and how safe is it?
Yes, malware can be uploaded to Archive.org, as the site allows user-generated uploads and operates much like any large file-sharing platform. While Archive.org likely implements some automated scanning to detect and block malware, no system is completely foolproof. Therefore, it's essential to approach downloads from the site cautiously, especially executable files, which are inherently riskier than non-executable files like PDFs or eBooks.
