can i get a virus from downloading .txt files?

Question

on limewire

am i more likely to get one by downloading a .txt?

i guess what im really wondering is can .txt files contain viruses

Answer 1

Yes, a .txt file can contain a virus. But unless it exploits some kind of vulnerability in notepad, it might not execute. A .txt usually only contain information that needs to be read, but that information is (if all is well) not executed, and therefore can't infect your PC. That is, unless it exploits some type of vulnerability, but frankly, I've never heard of such a thing in notepad or any type of .txt viewer, because there's so little dynamic content, there's unlikely to be any vulnerability. So I would say, yes it is possible (like most things are in the realm of computers), but it is unlikely. And always remember that it can't hurt to scan before you open.

Answer 2

You must activate some code to trigger a virus. Since text files are not executable, you can't get a virus from a REAL text file. However, things are never that simple. Some viruses disguise themselves by including the ".txt" phrase in the file name even though it is NOT the extension (for example, "Pictures_TXT.exe"). This example may look like a text file but is actually a disguised executable.

Best advice: never open ANY file if you do not know or trust the sender. Similarly, never click on any link, even out of curiosity, even if you have no intention of responding, if you do not know or trust the sender.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, yes, you can get a virus from just about any file. ALWAYS have your virus software running while on the Internet or downloading mail into your email client. Virus scanning should be done on virtually every new file BEFORE you open it, especially Email attachments or files downloaded from the web. This includes .txt files as well as all the rest. Just because you trust the person a file comes from doesn't mean a random cyberbug hasn't attached itself to a file.
Protect yourself.

Answer 4

You can. Some viruses diguise themselves by adding a .txt extension to the file. An example is like this file call "Life_Stage.txt.shs "

Answer 5

Viruses R possible from any download on an unprotected system.

Answer 6

If you can see the extension .txt then you cant get a virus from it.

Answer 7

yes you can get a virus from any type of file that is downloaded

Answer 8

if your comp cant handle it. u should just do it cuz u can always get rid of virus.