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Display the full filename so that you can spot viruses!

Posted By : of Data Doctors on December 7, 2001

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How do I display filename extensions in Windows?

This question was answered on December 7, 2001. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.


Many of today's virus/worm code relies on a default setting in Windows that hides the actual file extension Windows is configured to hide filename extensions, the three-letter portion of the filename following the period

Many of the worms or viruses will have two extensions such as picture.jpg.pif counting on Windows to 'hide' the .pif portion of the file which would help users realize a file was suspicious.

To turn this feature off, do the following:

- Open My Computer and select Folder Options from the Tools menu (or choose Options from the View menu in Windows 95)

-Click on the View tab, turn off 'Hide MS-DOS file extensions for known file types' and press OK.

You should now see the full extension of any file in Windows or that comes to you via e-mail Remember to be on the lookout for file that have two file extensions!

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Posted by of Data Doctors on December 7, 2001

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