Can a PDF file contain a virus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gregpatterson
  • Start date Start date
frischmoutt said:
Sorry I just realise that I wasn't so clear.

Not really; I knew what you meant.
When I have suspiscious files, I use to _drag_ them in Notepad or
Quickview or Foxit already open windows. I always _avoid to double
click_ on them in order not to launch possible programs (renamed
files for example).

This is good. If, in the generally rare case, the attachment does have a
socially-engineered file name, such as:

britney-spears-naked.pdf .exe

you most likely won't actually launch the .exe if you drag it into
FoxItReader. But then, how do we know Windows will actually comply with
that choice? :-)
These extensions correspond more or less to those listed in the
Quarantined file of Zone Alarm.

I also avoid to open .xls and .doc in Excel or Word, even by dragging
the files.

If you were not expecting the files from trusted senders, that is a good
plan. ... Even if you *were* expecting them, it is best to scan them
first with your up-to-date a-v program.
 
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