When I search for programs in Limewire some are these files. I want to know which ones are bad and which ones are safe and secure. After I'm downloading them how do I open themn and install them.
2006-12-07 15:22:16 · 9 answers · asked by Jerry C 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
There's no way of knowing just from the file extension which files are safe and which ones are not. As for what's what:
EXE -- Windows executable file; in other words, an application. Sometimes a self-extracting archive. Open by executing on a computer running Windows.
ZIP -- A popular compressed archive format. Many programs can read these files, including Stuffit (Mac), WinZip (Windows), 7Zip (Windows), and Ark (Linux). Some support for this format is built into Windows XP, and most Unixoid systems (including Mac OS X) include a command-line zip utility.
RAR -- Another archive format, somewhat less popular than ZIP. I think all the programs I mentioned for ZIP will also read RAR files.
2006-12-07 15:28:34 · answer #1 · answered by MarnenLK 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rarely a program will be available in EXE format on Limewire. Typically, programs will come in zip, rar, or iso format.
Besides audio files, none of the above mentioned formats are safe. They can all contain viruses. Download at your own risk.
Zip,rar and iso formats are convenient ways to put 100's of files into one file. Use Winzip to open zip files. Use WinRar to open rar files. Use WinISO or PowerISO or MagicISO to open iso files. You can also use Nero to burn the iso into a working CD.
Extract the files, then there will be a setup.exe file like any other program.
I would recommend Bittorent for programs rather than Limewire. Limewire is more ideal for small videos and music files.
2006-12-07 23:31:19 · answer #2 · answered by techman2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to know with any degree of certainty if they are safe is to scan them for viruses after downloading them. As for the files, rar and zip are both compressed files. Rar is usually considered a better compression than zip. As for exe it is a standard executable (runnable) file in Windows. Each of those file type can very easily hide something unsafe so I do advise you to scan them before opening.
2006-12-07 23:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by N_lien 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rar and zip its like u get many files on the same folder and when u do zip it or rar it, it will be less size, to unzip it you need winzip and to compress a rar file u need winrar both files you can download them from www.download.com.
exe.. all programs that run under Windows or DOS are in the .EXE format. it run alone when u click on it you dont need another program to run it.
hope this help you.
2006-12-07 23:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by BITEme26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
zip files are compressed archive files using the WinZip utility. RAR is similar to that using WinRAR. Exe files are actual program files.
In order to access the files in a zip or rar archive, you need the utility to extract them. To run a .exe, browse to it in win explorer and d-click it.
None of these are safe or secure... you have no idea beforehand what types of files are in the archives and exe's can be a virus.
2006-12-07 23:29:30 · answer #5 · answered by Cruel Angel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing on Limewire is "safe and secure." ZIP and RAR are compressed folders, EXE is a program.
2006-12-07 23:25:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
exe are executable files or application and may be harmful to your machine. zip and rar files are compressed files which may contain just about anything. You will have to uncompress using a unzip tool like Winrar
2006-12-07 23:28:17 · answer #7 · answered by wooster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zip - compression file used by winzip
rar - compression file used by winrar
exe - executable file which runs
2006-12-07 23:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by Buzzy Buddy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These are compressed files. For details, visit:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/file-compression.htm
2006-12-07 23:24:55 · answer #9 · answered by Faisal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋