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What are .pif files?

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6 replies

by nitdo

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Over the past week or so I have been receiving messages with .pif attachments with them. I am working with Outlook 2002 and each time one comes in I receive the following message. "Outlook has blocked access to the following potential undsafe attachement :images.DOC.pif".
What exactly is a .pif file and is it bad or do I need to readjust my settings (and if so, how?)?
Thanks for all the info!!

6 replies

by curlergirl

What you are seeing is one of the built-in security features of Outlook XP. It automatically blocks attachments with certain file extensions that are known to be connected with viruses. A .pif file is a "program information file" which is a type offile that often is connected with running command-line scripts and old DOS programs from a Windows desktop. Outlook XP will also block files with .exe, .vbs and .bat extensions, among others. That Outlook is blocking them is a good thing, since itis preventing your PC from being infected by the virus - notice the double extension (".doc.pif") on the attachment - this is another symptom of a virus-infected file. If you can determine who is sending you these messages, you might want to be a good samaritan let them know that their system is infected by a virus - possibly BadTrans or another email virus. Hope this helps!

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