Protecting Against Potentially Dangerous File Extensions
Known Dangerous File Extensions:
Below is a list of known potentially dangerous file types / extensions. These types of files are not always dangerous and are in many cases valid files, however, it is also common for malicious and damaging software to be contained in these types of files and they should be opened with caution. If you do not know where a file came from or if it did not come from a trusted source, do not open it.
| Ext | Description |
|---|---|
| ADE | Microsoft Access Project Extension |
| ADP | Microsoft Access Project |
| BAS | Visual Basic® Class Module |
| BAT | Batch File |
| CHM | Compiled HTML Help File |
| CMD | Windows NT® Command Script |
| COM | MS-DOS® Application |
| CPL | Control Panel Extension |
| CRT | Security Certificate |
| EXE | Application |
| HLP | Windows® Help File |
| HTA | HTML Applications |
| INF | Setup Information File |
| INS | Internet Communication Settings |
| ISP | Internet Communication Settings |
| JS | JScript® File |
| JSE | JScript Encoded Script File |
| LNK | Shortcut |
| MDB | Microsoft Access Application |
| Ext | Description |
|---|---|
| MDE | Microsoft Access MDE Database |
| MSC | Microsoft Common Console Document |
| MSI | Windows Installer Package |
| MSP | Windows Installer Patch |
| MST | Visual Test Source File |
| PCD | Photo CD Image |
| PIF | Shortcut to MS-DOS Program |
| REG | Registration Entries |
| SCR | Screen Saver |
| SCT | Windows Script Component |
| SHS | Shell Scrap Object |
| URL | Internet Shortcut (Uniform Resource Locator) |
| VB | VBScript File |
| VBE | VBScript Encoded Script File |
| VBS | VBScript Script File |
| WSC | Windows Script Component |
| WSF | Windows Script File |
| WSH | Windows Scripting Host Settings File |
Configure Windows XP to automatically show all file extensions:
Step 1: Right click on the Start button and click Explore.
Step 2: When the Windows Explorer window opens, click on Tools -> Folder Options...
Step 3: The Folder Options window will now appear. Click
on the View tab at the top of the screen. In the Advanced settings
box, scroll down to the Hide extensions for known file types entry and
uncheck it. Now click on the OK button.
Step 4: Now when you view files, the extension will always be
shown. The image below is an example of this.
