How is a file defined?
The file extension name is a suffix that is appended to the end of a file name
to indicate what type of file it is. The extensions of various file formats are very different.
Most malware is spread through files that are downloaded off the internet.
Scroll down to learn about said file types, and how you can detect them ⬇️
Six most common file types 🗃️
Whether at home or the office, you will come across many file types. It is best to be aware
of the most common file types and know their given extension.
JPEG
Widely used because the compression reduces the size of the file, which makes it ideal for sharing, storing, and displaying on websites. However, this also reduces the quality of the image.
ZIP
Used to compress one or more files together into a single location. This reduces file size and makes it easier to transport or store.
PNG
Short for Portable Network Graphics, is a high-quality graphic file format that you can view in almost any graphic program, image viewer, or web browser.
MP4
Contain not only video and still images but also audio and subtitles. MP4 files are usually seen when you download a video from the internet or from your device.
MP3
A digital music file that is compressed to allow for easy storage and transfer. It works by reducing the amount of data needed to store the music, without sacrificing quality.
HTML
Contains Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) that defines the page layout and content of the webpage, including the text, tables, and images displayed on the webpage. HTML files are displayed in web browsers such as this one.
Common Malware Types 💢
The most common file types associated with malware are .exe, .msi, .zip, and .rar files.
Many computer users are unaware of the types of files that can be used on their systems.
This is especially true in the modern era, when these files are often very popular.
EXE File Extension
EXE files, or executable files, are usually used to install software such as streaming services, video games, and IDEs for coding.
The .EXE file extension is used on Windows computers to install or run software applications. .EXE files can also be used to distribute viruses and other types of malicious software.
MSI File Extension
MSI files are Windows packages that contain installation information for a particular installer, including files to be installed and installation locations. The Windows Installer program uses MSI files to open them and carry out the installation tasks. MSI files are similar to .EXE files, but EXE files don't always contain installers. Sometimes, they just launch the program they contain when double-clicked.
ZIP/RAR File Extension
ZIP and RAR files both contain files that can be moved around and are used to store large amounts of data. The main difference between ZIP files and RAR files is that ZIP files are supported by most computers, while RAR files require special software to be able to unzip them. This can allow malware to easily target files in RAR files, as it does not have to worry about compatibility issues.