On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 19:29, Dotan Cohen  wrote:

> So Windows really only relies on filename extensions?

Without a file extension, Windows is incapable of knowing how/what to
use to open the file.

> What about improperly named files? Malicious files?

That is one reason why responsible programmers, when writing software
for Windows, validate file headers, before doing anything with the
file.

_Good_ software will offer to correct the improper file name, or extension.

David wrote:

> Irresponsible? No more so than Unix that will happily try to execute a file 
> regardless of name -- if the permissions allow.

I"ll grant that enables one to do the same amount of mischief in a
*Nix box, as can be done in a Win box.  OTOH, it is slightly more
difficult for a normal user to either delete, or reformat their entire
hard drive, on *Nix box, than on a Windows box.   On the gripping
hand, *Nix doesn't care if you do delete the kernel --- until you try
to reboot the system.

jonathon

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