newbie

[Xav]

Yes, I'm sure. Even movie files/pictures/music can contain viruses, so it's not necessarily safe.

[MeTh0Dz]

What are you talking about? It doesn't matter what is in the zipfile it can't be run until you run it. All you do is click on the stuff that you know is safe, .txt, .rtf, .c, .cpp, etc. I really don't see what your point is by saying that it's not safe to download zip files. Of course it's safe, you only open the applications and documents that you feel comfortable opening.

[Xav]

I wouldn't feel comfortable opening any file, because it could contain a virus.

[MeTh0Dz]

Dude, are you serious? Do you understand how zip files work? All it is is a compressed folder, opening a folder doesn't run any files. And why would you need feel comfortable opening a .txt file that comes in a zip file, or a .cpp file. I think you need to read some documentation on file formats.

Links.....

Wiki For File Formats
File Extension Information

[Xav]

No,no. I'm saying I'm reluctant to open ANY files obtained from the net, not just zip files!

[MeTh0Dz]

Explain to me why you are reluctant to opening .txt files or .cpp files, regardless of if they are contained in zipfiles or not.

[Xav]

Because they might contain a virus!

[MeTh0Dz]

Lol I'm sorry but you're putting your foot in your mouth. A .txt might contain a virus? LOL even if the machine code for a virus was in the .txt it wouldn't matter because the OS doesn't open that format in that fashion. It would just open the file for reading. You really should read up on file extensions and how the OS interprets different kind of extensions.

[Xav]

Lol I'm sorry but I think I know what I'm talking about. I know someone who was sent a harmless media file by email. He opened it, and a few days later he got another email saying the hacker had access to his files!

The 'harmless' file was actually an application, but it's possible to trick the OS into believing it's a different file type. See? I think I know what I'm talking about.

[MeTh0Dz]

DUDE are you seriously comparing a media file to a .txt. Seriously dude just go read some documentation. There was no tricking the OS involved, he simply used a binder or injector and it worked because the OS interprets media files as an application.

In other words (Media Files (.gif, .mp3, .wav. etc.) != .txt)) {EVER, In any way}

Stop acting like you know what you are talking about because you are wrong. Just read up on it.