MSFN Forum: File Extensions Changed - MSFN Forum

Jump to content



Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

File Extensions Changed caused by malware? Rate Topic: -----

#1 User is offline   Sysdll 

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 130
  • Joined: 22-December 07
  • OS:XP Pro x86
  • Country: Country Flag

Posted 26 March 2009 - 04:06 PM

I’ve encountered an unusual problem on a friend’s computer.

All of the.doc, pdf, and .jpeg files on this machine now have an additional extension of .encrypt. The extensions .tif and .gif are ok.

I’ve Googled this file extension and found nothing.

The owner of the computer doesn’t know what happened so I’m assuming it is a malware problem.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.


#2 User is offline   Sysdll 

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 130
  • Joined: 22-December 07
  • OS:XP Pro x86
  • Country: Country Flag

Posted 29 March 2009 - 08:14 PM

The owner of the computer needed it back so I ran KillDisk to clean the Hard Drive and did a fresh install of XP.

I’m still stumped by the .encrypt file extension. In addition to here I’ve posted on several different malware prevention forums and have not received any replies. I’ve talked to three professional IT guys I know and they had not encountered this before. Although when I told one about not being able to access files he said: “It sounds like you’re using Vista.” :wacko:

So I’ll keep hunting until I find what program encrypted these files in case this shows up again.

#3 User is offline   Tripredacus 

  • K-Mart-ian Legend
  • Group: Super Moderator
  • Posts: 6,987
  • Joined: 28-April 06
  • OS:Windows 7 x86
  • Country: Country Flag

Posted 30 March 2009 - 09:25 AM

The only thing I found was some AutoIT scripts made to encrypt files, and use this file extension format:

http://www.autoitscr...showtopic=23071
http://www.autoitscr...showtopic=27279

#4 User is offline   Sysdll 

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 130
  • Joined: 22-December 07
  • OS:XP Pro x86
  • Country: Country Flag

Posted 31 March 2009 - 12:12 AM

Thanks Tripredacus,

The last link says that by changing the file name back to the original the file was restored to normal. On the files I had this did not work.

It is possible that this was an early version of something that got into my friends computer.

There is no chance that my friend was playing around with any kind of programming so I’m still thinking it came from malware.

Share this topic:


Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

1 User(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users



All trademarks mentioned on this page are the property of their respective owners
Copyright © 2001 - 2011 msfn.org
Privacy Policy