Different Virus File Extensions

In this modern computer age, the threat of contracting a computer virus should always be a concern. Viruses can range from mildly bothersome to completely crippling. Viruses threaten to send out private information without permission and even to permanently shut down a user's computer. A virus is basically a program that needs to be executed. Therefore any executable file or program can be a virus.

Executable Files That Could Be Viruses (#- A-D)

The following is a partial, though extensive, list of executable file extensions:

A
.app - DR-DOS executable application
.app - FoxPro generated application
.app - MAC application package file
.app - Psion OVAL file
.app - Clarion for Windows application
.app - Cybiko computer application file
.app - Team Developer normal mode application file
.app - OrbWorks PocketC CE application
.app - Symbian OS application
.app - Until application
.app - Video CD on CD-i application
.app - VTech Helio application
.app - Executable application file
.appref-ms - Application Reference file

B
.bas - Basic source code
.bat - Batch file (executable)
.bi? - LoseThos binary executable file
.bin - Linux executable file
.btm - 4DOS batch to memory batch file

C
.c - Origin C program file
.cac - dBASE IV executable file
.cas - Casio program file
.cat - Casio calculator program
.chm - Microsoft compiled HTML help file
.cmd - Windows NT command script file
.cmd - dBASE program file
.cmd - OS/2 Command language file
.cmd - OS/2 REXX batch file
.cmd - PDP-10 indirect command file
.cod - Blackberry compiled Java code
.com - Common Object Module
.com - Command file
.com - EICAR anti-virus test file
.cpl - Microsoft Windows Control Panel extension
.cpp - Apple Xcode Core C program

D
.dbr - TCM - MRP Software Compliled Executable
.dex - Google Android compiled executable file
.dll - Dynamic Link Library file
.dol - Nintendo GameCube executable file
.dol - Nintendo Wii executable file
.dsp - Norton Viewer DLL file

Executable Files That Could Be Viruses (E-P)

E
.elf - Nintendo Wii executable file
.elf - Playstation executable game data file
.exe - Executable file
.exe - Playstation executable file
.exe - Out-of-process Code Component file
.exp - Protected mode executable program (Phar Lap)

F
.fmx - Oracle executable form file
.fxp - Visual FoxPro compiled program

G
.geo - Geoworks Geode (GEOS executable)
.gtp - Atari ST executable file

H
.hta - HTML program

I
.ime - Global Input Method Editor
.ipa - iPhone application file
.ipf - Microsoft SMS installer script

J
.jar - Compressed archive file package for Java classes and data
.js - JavaScript file

K
.kmd - ABSTAT for Windows batch file

L
.lit - AMOS executable file
.lnk - Windows Shortcut

M
.ma - hDC products for MicroApp executable file
.mex - MatLab executable command file
.msi - Microsoft Windows Installer installation package file
.msp - Windows Installer patch file

N
.ndr - RightFax executable file
.nt - Windows NT command script file
.nxe - AdaOS main program module

O
.o - Executable and Linkable format file

P
.part1.exe - Split Multi-volume RAR compressed self-extracting file archive (part 1)
.pe - PE - Portable Executable file
.pgm - CGI Program
.pgm - Opentech Digital STB main software
.pif - Microsoft Windows Program Information File (PIF)
.prc - Palm OS resource (text or program) file
.prg - Atari ST program
.prg - Gem executable program
.prg - Commodore executable programs in BASIC
.prg - Program file
.prx - Atari ST executable
.prx - FoxPro compiler program
.pva - Process Panel Builder application file
.pyd - Python dynamic module
.pyd - Jabbim (Jabber client) dynamic module

Executable Files That Could Be Viruses (Q-Z)

Q
.qbs - Microsoft QuickBasic program file

R
.rtl - Norton Utilities runtime library
.rtl - Borland runtime library
.run - AMOS executable file
.run - ISAPI Loader file

S
.sav - PDP-10 zero-compressed executable binary
.scr - Generic script file
.shs - Microsoft Windows Shell Scrap Object file
.so - Executable and linkable format file
.stx - Schneider Automation S.A. PL7 program file

T
.trs - Micrografx executable file

V
.vbe - Microsoft Visual Basic script file
.vbs - Visual Basic for applications script file

W
.wgt - Opera widgets
.widget - Yahoo! Widget file
.widget - Konfabulator Widget file
.wsf - Microsoft Windows scripting file
.wsh - Microsoft Windows Scripting Host file

X
.x - Human68k operating system executable file
.xex - Atari program executable file
.xhp - Executable related file
.xip - HP95 execute-in-place program
.xlnk - XML Link file
.xqt - SuperCalc macro spreadsheet

Z
.zl0 - AAICWpro/ZoneAlarm Mailsafe renamed .ade file
.zl3 - AAICWpro/ZoneAlarm Mailsafe .bat renamed file
.zl5 - AAICWpro/ZoneAlarm Mailsafe renamed .cmd file
.zl6 - AAICWpro/ZoneAlarm Mailsafe renamed .com file
.zl9 - AAICWpro/ZoneAlarm Mailsafe renamed .exe file

References

• Tin Hat.com: Interpreting File Extensions
• File Extensions: Program Executable File Extension List