Settings to Help Keep Viruses Out
In Windows 95/98/NT, open Windows Explorer and select Tools | Folder Options. Click the View tab, select "Show all files" and deselect (uncheck) "Hide file extensions for known file types".
In Windows 2000 and XP, open Windows Explorer and select Tools | Folder Options. Click the View tab, select "Show hidden files and folders" and deselect (uncheck) "Hide file extensions for known file types."
The above instructions will display all file extensions except for .SHS files. To display .SHS file extensions, one additional step is required. After following the above instructions, users must then edit the Registry, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ShellScrap, deleting the value "NeverShowExt".
Following is a partial list of file types that should be considered suspicious when received in email and should not be opened unless you requested or expected the attachment:
- ADE Microsoft Access Project Extension
- ADP Microsoft Access Project
- BAS Visual Basic Class Module
- BAT Batch File
- CHM Compiled HTML Help File
- CMD Windows NT Command Script
- COM MS-DOS Application
- CPL Control Panel Extension
- CRT Security Certificate
- DLL Dynamic Link Library
- DO* Word Documents and Templates
- EXE Application
- HLP Windows Help File
- HTA HTML Applications
- INF Setup Information File
- INS Internet Communication Settings
- ISP Internet Communication Settings
- JS JScript File
- JSE JScript Encoded Script File
- LNK Shortcut
- MDB Microsoft Access Application
- MDE Microsoft Access MDE Database
- MSC Microsoft Common Console Document
- MSI Windows Installer Package
- MSP Windows Installer Patch
- MST Visual Test Source File
- OCX ActiveX Objects
- PCD Photo CD Image
- PIF Shortcut to MS-DOS Program
- POT PowerPoint Templates
- PPT PowerPoint Files
- REG Registration Entries
- SCR Screen Saver
- SCT Windows Script Component
- SHB Document Shortcut File
- SHS Shell Scrap Object
- SYS System Config/Driver
- URL Internet Shortcut (Uniform Resource Locator)
- VB VBScript File
- VBE VBScript Encoded Script File
- VBS VBScript Script File
- WSC Windows Script Component
- WSF Windows Script File
- WSH Windows Scripting Host Settings File
- XL* Excel Files and Templates