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Author Topic: Does removing file extensions protect against viruses?  (Read 2950 times)

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stoink

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Does removing file extensions protect against viruses?
« on: May 12, 2012, 11:32:54 PM »
I'm developing a website for uploading and encrypting files.

If someone were to upload a malicious file, would removing/renaming the file extension prevent any harm to my server?


Thanks.
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Offline !Donovan

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Re: Does removing file extensions protect against viruses?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2012, 11:55:51 PM »
If you have a program to run unknown files, then no.
If you have a program that runs any file as a specific file (runs .scr files as .exe) then no.

If it is a website for uploading and encrypting files, do you ever have to "open" or "execute" the file?
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stoink

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Re: Does removing file extensions protect against viruses?
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2012, 12:02:23 AM »
Hi,

No, the files are never executed on the server, only stored. They're also uploaded in chunks.
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Offline !Donovan

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Re: Does removing file extensions protect against viruses?
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2012, 12:27:28 AM »
Then I would imagine that the files can never harm your server unless executed. To be safe, you can rename the files. Is there any advantage to keeping the original name?
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