JohnRich 4 #1 March 4, 2004 I've been getting a rash of suspicious e-mails lately, from addresses I don't know, trying to get me to open an attached file. The attached file always has a .pif suffix. They'll make their come-on with some kind of statement like: "See the attached file for details" or "Your document is attached". I know enough not to be tricked into opening these, as they might be trying to spread a virus. Even if I did open them, I think my McAfee firewall would stop them, but I don't give them even that chance. However, I am curious as to what type of file a "pif" file is. Is this some kind of executable program? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivexxl 0 #2 March 4, 2004 They're not "trying"... that IS a virus. Blog Clicky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #3 March 4, 2004 PIF = Program Information File. Really intended to hold just information about Windows programs - to tell Windows how to open and run a program - but they can be embedded with DOS commands that allow viruses to spread.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #4 March 4, 2004 Quote Even if I did open them, I think my McAfee firewall would stop them, but I don't give them even that chance. However, I am curious as to what type of file a "pif" file is. Is this some kind of executable program? Your McAfee firewall won't do much for email, your McAfee virus protection should be scrubbing the files when you are downloading your email. You may want to re-check your virus protection settings for email. Your ISP probably has a virus monitoring program as well. Lately, my Norton hasn't even been given the chance to warn me of virii because the SBC/Yahoo POP server gets them first...takes all the fun out of it... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #5 March 4, 2004 Don't open them, they are a virus. J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #6 March 4, 2004 as i understand it, some of these new viruses coming out can't really be stopped by the mail server. my university webmail people sent us a email saying "sorry we can't stop these virus emails, so just delete them as they come in" whats interesting is that I'm getting the same virus emails as everyone else, but they don't have an attachment... beats me why. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #7 March 4, 2004 read the Sticky post in talk back. It explains all this<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 March 4, 2004 Quoteread the Sticky post in talk back. It explains all this Now I have the urge to start a new thread about it? Do you think I should? So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #9 March 4, 2004 QuoteLately, my Norton hasn't even been given the chance to warn me of virii because the SBC/Yahoo POP server gets them first...takes all the fun out of it... glad to hear our program is working always nice to hear some positive feedback compared to the 20 people a day that bitch because they opened the file while in outlook. the beagle one is really a pain because people are opening it thinking it's from sbcglobal.net<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #10 March 4, 2004 QuotePIF = Program Information File. Really intended to hold just information about Windows programs - to tell Windows how to open and run a program - but they can be embedded with DOS commands that allow viruses to spread. So it sounds like the senders make it a "pif" file so as to appear safe and innocuous, when in fact it has the capability to do inflict damage. That's nice to know! Thanks for that information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #11 March 4, 2004 QuoteQuotePIF = Program Information File. Really intended to hold just information about Windows programs - to tell Windows how to open and run a program - but they can be embedded with DOS commands that allow viruses to spread. So it sounds like the senders make it a "pif" file so as to appear safe and innocuous, when in fact it has the capability to do inflict damage. That's nice to know! Thanks for that information. ding ding ding!!! remember viruses are any program that reproduce themselves. they can come across as anything. be especially carefull with .zip files because when you unzip it'll launch the .exe and you're screwed at that point. atleast the viruses now aday don't do AS MUCH damage as the old ones. They are mostly just chewing up bandwidth trying to take systems down. the old ones were fun to play with on dumby machines. my personal favorite was the tequilla virus hahaha<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
