.PIF file

Ruzzy · 04-15-2007, 03:08 PM

Hey.

My friend sent me their photoalbum earlier, and when i extracted it, it was a .pif file.

so before doing anything i checked what a pif was on the net and i found

" Short for Program InFormation file, a type of file that holds information about how Windows should run a non-Windows application. For example, a PIF file can contain instructions for executing a DOS application in the Windows environment. These instructions can include the amount of memory to use, the path to the executable file, and what type of window to use. PIF files have a .pif extension ."

quoted from - http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PIF_file.html

anyway, then i decided to run my anti spyware and my anti virus' on it. and the virus detector said there was a Worm in there. now i trust my scanner but is there anyway it could've got confused? cus i dont think my mate would send me a virus.

is it best to delete this file? or did the detector get confused? it was AVG Free Edition fully upto date

**carsey** · 04-15-2007, 03:14 PM

Id delete them. Ive had a few people sending me photo albums lately and I also noticed the .PIF file extension. I googled it up, as I do with any unfamiliar extension to me and it claimed I should not open the file.

I deleted it.

Your scanner is right. There will be some rubbish in there somewhere, best to delete the file and face a happy system than have to face a system that is messing up.

Ruzzy · 04-15-2007, 04:04 PM

Okay then, one way ticket to the recycling bin coming up.

thanks

Cricket57 · 04-16-2007, 07:31 AM

Hi there,

Unfortunately it sounds as though your friend has been infected with a variant of the Worm Licat infection:
http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall....4e0500b79bcd14

Most of the time it sends what looks like an image which a tagline of "Is this you in this picture?" or something similar, but what they are actually sending is a .pif file that infects your machine once clicked. Other times it can just be a direct link. If you have followed any of the links sent, then it is highly likely that you may be infected also.

Tell your friend to update their security software and scan their machine. If they don't remove it, there is a variety of programs that will (one of them being Prevx1 from where I found the information above).

04-15-2007, 03:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ruzzy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK Posts: 240 OS: XP Pro SP2	.PIF file Hey. My friend sent me their photoalbum earlier, and when i extracted it, it was a .pif file. so before doing anything i checked what a pif was on the net and i found " Short for Program InFormation file, a type of file that holds information about how Windows should run a non-Windows application. For example, a PIF file can contain instructions for executing a DOS application in the Windows environment. These instructions can include the amount of memory to use, the path to the executable file, and what type of window to use. PIF files have a .pif extension ." quoted from - http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PIF_file.html anyway, then i decided to run my anti spyware and my anti virus' on it. and the virus detector said there was a Worm in there. now i trust my scanner but is there anyway it could've got confused? cus i dont think my mate would send me a virus. is it best to delete this file? or did the detector get confused? it was AVG Free Edition fully upto date __________________ The self-titled computer wrecker is back, but with a new leaf! its time to not break them but fix them!

04-15-2007, 03:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
carsey Moderator, TSF Articles Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hunwick, Co. Durham England Posts: 10,678 OS: XP Pro SP3 My System	Re: .PIF file Id delete them. Ive had a few people sending me photo albums lately and I also noticed the .PIF file extension. I googled it up, as I do with any unfamiliar extension to me and it claimed I should not open the file. I deleted it. Your scanner is right. There will be some rubbish in there somewhere, best to delete the file and face a happy system than have to face a system that is messing up. __________________ Submit New Articles Here

04-15-2007, 04:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ruzzy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK Posts: 240 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: .PIF file Okay then, one way ticket to the recycling bin coming up. thanks __________________ The self-titled computer wrecker is back, but with a new leaf! its time to not break them but fix them!

04-16-2007, 07:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cricket57 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 19 OS: Win XP	Re: .PIF file Hi there, Unfortunately it sounds as though your friend has been infected with a variant of the Worm Licat infection: http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall....4e0500b79bcd14 Most of the time it sends what looks like an image which a tagline of "Is this you in this picture?" or something similar, but what they are actually sending is a .pif file that infects your machine once clicked. Other times it can just be a direct link. If you have followed any of the links sent, then it is highly likely that you may be infected also. Tell your friend to update their security software and scan their machine. If they don't remove it, there is a variety of programs that will (one of them being Prevx1 from where I found the information above).