data.pif from intel@shrapnelgames.com????

[Atrocities]

I got to notices today that email I sent out had a virus. Well since my system has been down, I know I sent no emails. I ran a check anyways, and still no virus. They said it was a virus called DOOM. I suspect that it is someone who has me listed in there addresses.

These things go around, and it is always good to post a warning so members can check their systems for viruses.

And for the record, I would never EVER send any one any attachment without TELLING them what it was. So if you ever get an email from me with an attachment, and your not expecting or, or it comes with a lame asses subject line DO NOT OPEN IT. Do not email it back to me either. That will only get you blocked.

[Krsqk]

Originally posted by DavidG:
I would have thought that by know most would know not to open attachements from supicious e-mails with extensions like .pif

Actually, I think it's because of yet another "helpful" idea from Microsoft. WinXP (and maybe Win2000 as well) ships with a default setting of "Hide extensions for known file types." They assume you'll know what it is by the icon. The stupidity is that you can name a virus attachment "YASD.txt.exe" and give it the text file icon. Now the average Win-duhs user will only see "YASD.txt" and think, "Oh, goody, another story about some poor level 50 warrior getting slaughtered trying to fight through a worm mass--I think I'll open it and click yes to any prompts that come up warning me that this file type may contain a virus."

[ February 02, 2004, 02:00: Message edited by: Krsqk ]

[DavidG]

Originally posted by Krsqk:

quote:

---

Originally posted by DavidG:
I would have thought that by know most would know not to open attachements from supicious e-mails with extensions like .pif

Actually, I think it's because of yet another "helpful" idea from Microsoft. WinXP (and maybe Win2000 as well) ships with a default setting of "Hide extensions for known file types." They assume you'll know what it is by the icon. The stupidity is that you can name a virus attachment "YASD.txt.exe" and give it the text file icon. Now the average Win-duhs user will only see "YASD.txt" and think, "Oh, goody, another story about some poor level 50 warrior getting slaughtered trying to fight through a worm mass--I think I'll open it and click yes to any prompts that come up warning me that this file type may contain a virus."

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Huh Good point. I never thought of that since turning on the file extensions is one of the first things I do after installing windows. It truly is a mystery why MS would think anyone would want them turned off.

[Fyron]

Because of the risk of accidentally renaming a file to have no extension, thus removing the ability to open it with a simple double click. Rather than just taking yet another opportunity to bash Microsoft, why don't you consider the issue from all angles? There are almost always good reasons for why MS has chosen to do odd things...

[ February 02, 2004, 02:33: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Roanon]

So due to the very remote "danger" of accidently renaming a file extension M$ has decided to try to hide yet another important information from the user which is inconvenient at best and even dangerous sometimes? To protect the dumb user - who will not really be able to rename a file with ease - M$ decides to make them even dumber?

What I do understand is that it is the M$ policy to keep as much information hidden from the user, so that they can interfere with the user's data and use hidden backdoors for their convenience and user control. Hail Big Brother M$ we worship you. This programming policy is the main reason for the virus vulnerability of especially M$ products, because virus programmers really like automated procedures that can be called without notification and supervision of the user. Despite all propaganda, I still doubt that this is beneficial for the user.

Rather than just taking yet another opportunity to glorify Microsoft, why don't you consider the issue from all angles? There are almost always bad reasons for why MS has chosen to do odd things...

[Fyron]

Yeah, whatever. Please explain how I in any way glorified Microsoft?

[Mephisto]

Easy, guys. We all know how Microsoft can get all parties all worked up.