To know the file extensions is very important for don't make into error, but you suspect always, appearances can be deceptive.
One of the biggest collections of file extensions in the net is on
www.filext.com and on
www.file-ext.com
Also, if a "non-Microsoft".exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection!
You find information and user opinions about
common Windows files in the net on the site www.anti-spy.info, and about
WinTasks Process Library on the site www.liutilities.com
The first commandments for your computer sanity must be:
1. Any time you have doubts about a file or message, do not download, execute or open it.
The others commandments can be:
2. Do not open e-mails coming from unknown or distrusted sources.
3. Do not open any e-mail message unless you know what is it about, even if it comes from a friend or partner. Most viruses spread via e-mail messages so please ask for a confirmation from the sender if you are in anny doubt.
4. Do not open the attachments of messages with a suspicious or unexpected subject. If you want to open them, first save them to your hard disk and scan them with an updated antivirus program.
5. Delete any chain e-mails or unwanted messages. Do not forward them or reply to their senders. This kind of messages is considered spam, because it is undesired and unsolicited and it overloads the Internet traffic.
6. Do not copy any file if you don't know or don't trust its source.
7. Be very careful when downloading files from the Internet. Check their source every time and make sure that an antivirus program already verified the files on the download site. If you are not sure about this, copy that file on your hard disk or on a floppy disk and recheck it using your own antivirus.
Take a look to our virus page up-to-date every day about TOP VIRUSES, VIRUS MAP and ONLINE VIRUS SCAN.
Virus additional information
You can find more complete list of virus and additional virus information on these web sites:
McAfee virus information
Panda virus information
Symantec virus information
MicroWorld virus information
Norman virus information
BitDefender virus information
Trend Micro virus information
F-secure virus information
Antivirus freeware
AVG free edition
Antidote SuperLite
AntiVir Personal Edition
avast! home
BitDefender Free Edition
ClamWin Free AntiVirus for Windows
Frisk F-PROT Anti-Virus for DOS
MicroWorld eScan Antivirus Toolkit Utility
You can find a more
complete list of anti-virus on the web site
www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/soft1.htm
Online anti-virus scanners
If you don't have an anti-virus program, you can scan and clean your computer with one of these online anti-virus scanners:
BitDefender ScanOnline
Panda ActiveScan
Command on Demand (www.commandondemand.com)
RAV AntiVirus Scan Online
eTrust AntiVirus Web Scanner
Trend Micro HouseCall (ActiveX)
McAfee FreeScan
Trend Micro HouseCall (Java)
Symantec security check
If your pc is infested (removal tools)
Download and run one of these free standalone virus removal tools:
avast! Virus Cleaner
McAfee AVERT Stinger
AVG revovers tools
Panda PQRemove
Symantec removal tools
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
BitDefender Removal Tools (www.bitdefender.com)
More information
Other sources for the curious, where you can find a lot of tools on privacy, net security, net privacy, mal-ware control & info, crypto info & resources, desktop privacy & security, etc. on
Eric Howes' Page on site www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/index.html
HOAXES VIRUS ALERT:
vmyths hoaxes virus page
HOAXES VIRUS ALERT:
McAfee hoaxes virus page
HOAXES VIRUS ALERT:
Trend Micro hoaxes virus page