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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    145

    Is .EXE "potentially unsafe to.......

    I installed WinZip in order to unzip FOXIT (PDF file) and
    when I directed WZ to unzip - this was the answer:

    "This file contains potentially unsafe file types - .EXE - and
    unless you feel you downloaded from a reliable source....."

    Well, I don't remember the source I downloaded FOXIT from
    because someone on this panel suggested it and gave a link
    "click here" and I used it.

    Can someone with experience tell me if I should go ahead
    and unzip FOXIT ???? Or would I be asking for trouble ?

    Lots of thanks and belated Happy New Year.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    6,990
    If unsure, do not open, save the attachment and use a virus scanner to scan it first. It is better to be safe than sorry. Far too many viruses around. The person who gave you the link may have good intentions, but you never know if it had been infected unknowingly.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Mississauga, ON
    Posts
    377
    Foxit's a good PDF reader; I'd recommend it over Adobe's any day (I for one don't like waiting 15+ seconds for a PDF reader to start up =P). Anyway, scan the zip with an antivirus, one that's capable of scanning inside archives/zip files (or extract the zip to a folder and scan the contents of the folder; you won't get infected simply by extracting the zip). WinZip will give you the exe warning regardless of whether the contents are infected or not.

    If you've got problems with the zip, you can grab Foxit's EXE installer and give that a scan/try.

  4. #4
    A .exe file can always be unsafe mostly because it is a program which can, if programmed to do so, create files and create registry entries, everything thats needed to install a virus. I find it unnessary to scan EVERYTHING that you download, because if its from a reliable source, then it shouldn't be dangerous. But if its from an unknown source, I usually eather go somewhere else to get it if possible, or just scan it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Posts
    13,624
    Quote Originally Posted by gypsy
    (I for one don't like waiting 15+ seconds for a PDF reader to start up =P).
    Thankfully mine doesnt take that long,usually opens within 2 or 3 seconds (I have 3.01)





    Tinyurl is the answer for posting long urls!!!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    598
    .exe's are unsafe if they are from an unknown source. Don't run or unzip unless you trust them


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    145
    Thanks all. Great info here. I did run a scan and it had 2
    infections but AVG "healed" one and removed the other. So I'm
    guessing it's safe to run now.

    And thanks loads Gypsy for that link to Foxit Install.

    I wonder how The Dude got a 3.01 PDF. I used to have a 6.0 which
    was somewhat OK but even that is nowhere to be found anymore.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Posts
    13,624

    Tinyurl is the answer for posting long urls!!!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    145
    Thanks for that link Dude ! These "oldies" are hard to find
    and the latest versions are shoved down the throats of downloaders.

    Incidentally, with everyone's help, I installed WinZip- scanned
    my Foxit download - cleaned out a reported infection - and things
    are running fine. Thanks for the help - all of you out there.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Posts
    13,624
    Yes i know......

    OLDER versions are MUCH BETTER (In many cases)





    Tinyurl is the answer for posting long urls!!!

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