Security expert: Not showing file extensions on Windows 10 worst idea ever

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sinu

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Like previous Windows versions, also Windows 10 doesn’t show file extensions, which according to a security expert is the “worst idea ever”. Mikko Hypponen of Finnish antivirus company F-Secure criticizes Microsoft’s choice.

“Worst idea ever”, according to Hypponen on Twitter. Cybercriminals regularly send out spam mails with executable fixes hidden as documents like invoice.pdf.exe. Because Windows doesn’t show the file extension, the user only sees invoice.pdf and can therefore assume it’s a PDF file while in reality it’s a .exe file containing malware.
An user argues that users should notice that a file in unsafe when they suddenly see a file extension, but another user argues that the majority of users doesn’t pay attention to that. Many users are also surprised Microsoft still hasn’t solved the issue with file extensions.
 

jamescv7

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Actually by ticking on the Windows explorer to show the extensions apart, it should recognize double extension; of course by default no one should notice from the first place and that's why you need a supervision with experience users. ;)
 
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WinXPert

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A workaround is to type DIR at the CMD prompt, till a viable solution arrives
 

Tony Cole

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The problems arise for the normal computer user (like my uncle, who got hit by CryptoLocker, but he is 69) who didn't have a clue about "hide file extensions for known file types." This is a vector for crypto ransomware attacks and Microsoft still does nothing, just a simple thing, could prevent a lot of damage. There are some user(s) out there who just install Windows and av software, scan/update, completely blasé to security issues, with a large majority still clicking that email attachment.
 

Av Gurus

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Is this a problem....

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