DANGEROUS FILE TYPES
It’s important to know which file extensions are potentially dangerous. You should always be cautious when opening any file, especially if it comes from an unknown or untrusted source. As a precaution, you could scan files with the antivirus product you have on your computer. However, a better approach is to upload the file to an online file scanning service such as VirusTotal (URL = https://virustotal.com) to see if the file has previously been reported as malicious. A best practice is to always check files before opening them, regardless of source, to minimize the risk of infection.
The list below lists some of the most common ones that can launch attacks if opened with the app that created them.
• Executable files (.exe): These files are designed to be run on your computer, and they can contain viruses, trojans, or other types of malware that can damage your system or steal your data.
• Script files (.js, .vbs, .ps1, .bat): These files contain code that your system can execute and can be used to install malware or perform other malicious actions.
• Macro-enabled files (.docm, .xlsm, .pptm): These files contain macros that can be used to run scripts or other code, which can also be used to install malware or steal data.
• Archive files (.zip, .rar, .7z): These files can contain multiple files and folders and can be used to distribute malware or other malicious content.
• PDF files (.pdf): While PDF files are typically considered safe, they can distribute malware if they contain links or embedded content that leads to infected websites or files.