What is a file extension — CCA-F Exam Prep

PencilPrepPencilPrep
L0.20|What is a file extension
1/12
Real story
An email inbox from the year 2000 showing a message with subject 'ILOVEYOU' and an attachment named 'LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.vbs'. The .TXT is highlighted in green (fake), the .vbs is highlighted in red (real). Old Windows interface style.

The ILOVEYOU virus. May 2000.

An email with 'LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.vbs'. The .TXT was fake -- just part of the filename. The real extension was .vbs (Visual Basic Script). A program, not a text file.

50 million computers infected in 10 days. The Pentagon, CIA, and British Parliament shut down their email systems. $15 billion in damage. Because people saw .TXT and thought 'safe text file.' They didn't see the .vbs hiding at the end.

Because people trusted the wrong extension.