 DataDocMy avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC
 ·Suddenlink
1 edit | Which is "safest" file format to receive documents in? I have a friend that is asking his fellow club members to send them information relating to the club's purpose (woodworking). He asked me which format was the safest to receive the information. I told him .txt or plain text email.
He's been getting PDF, DOC, DOCX, and WPD. There were attached photos as well. He has an anti-virus program, Avast, which scanned the email when received. He has Win7 and it's set to reveal all file extensions.
I told him let Avast do its job, check the file types before opening and watch for any unusual problems with his PC.
Would it be any use to get alternative readers for these files? Being "dumber" they might not react to hidden threats.
Any suggestions?
EDIT: Re-added text about .txt, omitted during previous editing.
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Obama has spent an average of 138 minutes a week in economic meetings.
New dog owners spent an average of 130 minutes a week walking their dogs. |
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 John GaltForward, MarchPremium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
kudos:5 | Re: Which is "safest" file format to receive documents .txt
Just saying'... |
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DataDocMy avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC | That's what I told him. Got left out in first edit. |
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 Name GamePremium
join:2002-07-07
North Myrtle Beach, SC
kudos:7 | Since he is getting stuff in all kinds of different formats..tell him before he opens any up to view them..to just upload a copy first to Jotti or one of the other on line free scanners that gets an opinion from 10 or more AVs.
I think that would be the best since it will be hard to just force everyone to respond in one particular format.
I am sure some will post the links to these sites for you.
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Gladiator Security Forum
»www.gladiator-antivirus.com/
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 StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 | reply to DataDoc
Yep, just plain text.
I send plain text email and hate receiving HTML emails. Just about every format, besides plain text, has been exploited to send malware.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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Name GamePremium
join:2002-07-07
North Myrtle Beach, SC
kudos:7 | reply to DataDoc
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OZOPremium
join:2003-01-17
kudos:2 | reply to DataDoc
Tell him to use .txt. It's safe way to exchange documents. Other formats (e.g. .DOC, .PDF, etc) may include active components, that you don't want to run.
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Keep it simple, it'll become complex by itself... |
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 AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | .paper |
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DataDocMy avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC Reviews:
·Suddenlink
| Let's take it to gen one, .verbal  |
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 XiodenPremium
join:2008-06-10
Monticello, NY
kudos:1 | reply to DataDoc
»docs.google.com/viewer |
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 jaykaykay4 Ever YoungPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
kudos:22 | reply to DataDoc
Do verbal and paper still even exist? 
Would anyone really use Google for this purpose? |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
| said by jaykaykay:Do verbal and paper still even exist?
Well for oldies like us yes. If you're one of the younger generation then all you know is texting even if the receipient is across the table from you. When I was a kid we had these things called telephones that had wind-up dialing. Also we only had 6-digit numbers.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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jaykaykay4 Ever YoungPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
kudos:22 | It's hell to be a dinosaur, isn't it! |
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 fphallThe GuardianPremium
join:2003-11-01
Bristol, CT | reply to StuartMW
said by StuartMW:said by jaykaykay:Do verbal and paper still even exist?
Well for oldies like us yes. If you're one of the younger generation then all you know is texting even if the receipient is across the table from you. When I was a kid we had these things called telephones that had wind-up dialing. Also we only had 6-digit numbers. I remember 5 digit numbers. That was in the 40's. |
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 DustynPremium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN
kudos:10 | reply to StuartMW
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZYKVNT-VWAHave you ever required the special dialing-wand?  |
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StuartMWWho Is John Galt?Premium
join:2000-08-06
Galt's Gulch
kudos:2 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
| reply to jaykaykay
said by jaykaykay:It's hell to be a dinosaur, isn't it!
Well if you consider human history we live in a rather unique period where things have changed rapidly in our lifetimes. In the Middle Ages nothing changed much for 1,000 years.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow! |
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jaykaykay4 Ever YoungPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
kudos:22 | Some of us is cuter than others!
»images.sodahead.com/polls/000700···rge.jpeg |
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Mele20Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
kudos:4 | reply to Name Game
If using Virustotal, he should install the free program Virus Total Uploader:
»www.virustotal.com/documentation···cations/
It is easy to install on any version of Windows and extremely easy to use as it adds an option to right click context menu when seeing something like an email attachment. Right click on the attachment, choose Send to Virus Total and the program does it all for you. Very fast and easy and so much better way to scan questionable files and email attachments for viruses.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | reply to jaykaykay
said by jaykaykay:Do verbal and paper still even exist?
Would anyone really use Google for this purpose?
google voice
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--Standard disclaimers apply.--
The preceding posting is null and void in Arizona and any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. |
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AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | reply to DataDoc
.pgp |
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