Exe Files

[Svejk]

as i asked on removed thread. what does it mean? would you ever/never open one.

[woofgang]

.exe files will run programs on your computer. exe is short for executable ie it has instructions in it that your computer can read and obey....like for example passing control of your computer to an outside naughty person, nicking the contents of your address book and so on.

[Tilly2]

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-exe-file.htm#didyouknowout

[Svejk]

so really youd never want to click on one from anywhere.

[Tilly2]

Well, I wouldn't.

[andy-hughes]

Do I assume that the person I suggested was heading for a ban has had their threads taken down?

[Svejk]

must admit, i nearly clicked on the one in question.

[Tilly2]

Did you click on the other one though?

[EcclesCake]

I would only click on an exe file if I was actively intending to download a programme as intended.

Apart from that I would avoid.

[Svejk]

sorry till, you've lost me. not hard i know, lol.

[Buenchico]

>>>so really youd never want to click on one from anywhere.

Unless it was a program that you were actively seeking to add to your computer AND you were 100% certain about the authenticity of the site from which you were downloading it. (e.g. it's perfectly safe to download new browsers, which will have 'exe' files to install them, as long as you're downloading Firefox from the Mozilla website, Chrome from the Google website and so on. Any other download websites should be treated with suspicion unless they're well-known and trusted by everyone, such as Cnet.com).

[Tilly2]

Didn't the poster you are referring to post two photos, on two separate threads?

[Svejk]

oh, i thought you were mocking me grammar, cariad. ;)

[Tilly2]

as if!

[Svejk]

thanks for replies. i think the consensus is; dont open unless you know what you're doing.

[Tilly2]

Exeactly!

[Svejk]

;-)

[Old_Geezer]

Most of the programmes you run on your PC wil have an .exe extension; so I'm unsure I understand the question. You seem to be asking, will you ever use your PC again ?

[Svejk]

there was a removed thread, og, and when you try to 'click' on the photo a warning came on lap-top saying it could cause damage. and someone else said it was an exe file. so i suppose there are good ones and bad ones. and if you dont know the difference dont take a chance by clicking on them (after the warning)

[Old_Geezer]

Ah, I see. Someone posted a dodgy link then.