Curse

Synthos · Aug 11, 2005, 06:46 PM // 18:46

I have a question for all you knowlegeable people out there. What the heck is a decompression bomb? My antivirus states that it can't scan a few things because they are "decompression bombs", yet the antivirus doesnt go off like if it were a virus or an adaware.

Of course it sounds like something that goes off when you decompress it. But what problems do they cause, or even better how can i determine if somethings a decompression bomb? And why doesnt my antivirus treat it like its a problem?

Thanks.

_Zen_ · Aug 11, 2005, 07:08 PM // 19:08

A decompression bomb is a program that hides in compressed attachments (normally) and generally is a .zip, .png, or .gif file. Once your antivirus opens that file to scan it, the program starts and it keeps decompression the file until it fills up the hard drive or causes the system to crash... uuumm... as far as I understand it anyway...

Synthos · Aug 11, 2005, 07:15 PM // 19:15

So its best to delete them then i suppose?
I wonder why the antivirus programs dont have a better way of dealing with them. Like giving you the option to delete them if found.

_Zen_ · Aug 11, 2005, 07:24 PM // 19:24

I would recomend deleting them...depending on what the file names are. Do you know for sure that they are maybe old email attachments? Or maybe some old pics that you downloaded? What do you say you PM me the file names and I'll try to help you out... no point turning the forums into private chat... lol

chalt2 · Aug 11, 2005, 07:25 PM // 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synthos

So its best to delete them then i suppose?
I wonder why the antivirus programs dont have a better way of dealing with them. Like giving you the option to delete them if found.

Now, now now, that wouldn't be very capitaistic now would it?

If you were "warned" before you opened something that would then require you to need some help in getting rid of it, how would people ever blindly open these things and then need to call someone to help them fix it.

If the ANTI-VIRUS companies developed a way to ERADICATE worms, Trojans, adware, spyware and the rest there wouldn't be a need to purchase their products any more would there.........

_Zen_ · Aug 11, 2005, 07:32 PM // 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalt2

If the ANTI-VIRUS companies developed a way to ERADICATE worms, Trojans, adware, spyware and the rest there wouldn't be a need to purchase their products any more would there.........

So very true!!!

Synthos · Aug 11, 2005, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalt2

Now, now now, that wouldn't be very capitaistic now would it?

If you were "warned" before you opened something that would then require you to need some help in getting rid of it, how would people ever blindly open these things and then need to call someone to help them fix it.

If the ANTI-VIRUS companies developed a way to ERADICATE worms, Trojans, adware, spyware and the rest there wouldn't be a need to purchase their products any more would there.........

:shrug:
I understand if it were as complex as a virus, for each virus there is a unique sometimes complex way to remove them so the antivirus couldn't possibly hold all the solutions to the many thousands of viruses. Thats not the problem though, An antivirus should be able to tell you if somethings a decompression bomb before you open it but it doesn't. I dont understand :P

_Zen_ · Aug 11, 2005, 07:48 PM // 19:48

Well the problem with it warning you is that, in order for the antivirus to figure out what is in the zipped/compressed file, it needs to open it and scan the contents. So when it comes to decompression bombs (that start once the compressed file is open), you'd actually be better off not having the antivirus opening it to tell you what it is, and instead just deleting any zipped files that you aren't sure of...

Golden Knight · Aug 12, 2005, 04:26 AM // 04:26

hey what about zipped files that u know are safe, do u have to delete that 2?

Mr. Matt · Aug 12, 2005, 09:34 AM // 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalt2

Now, now now, that wouldn't be very capitaistic now would it?

If you were "warned" before you opened something that would then require you to need some help in getting rid of it, how would people ever blindly open these things and then need to call someone to help them fix it.

If the ANTI-VIRUS companies developed a way to ERADICATE worms, Trojans, adware, spyware and the rest there wouldn't be a need to purchase their products any more would there.........

Freeware AVs are usually better anyway. Why pay for something when you can get a better one for free?