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Thread: what is *.bat file

  1. #1
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    Question what is *.bat file

    i got a message from citibank as it seemed to be n when i clicked it some processing held n a message came that c: cant b formatted . currently in use.
    then i saw this that file had a down.bat file
    what is a .bat file?
    how it can harm my pc?
    Sometimes realitys are dreams we cannot live in.... (as my bst fren says) [/shadow]

  2. #2
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    Its a batch file - Most viruses are .bat files.

    If your using email that your ISP gave you, send this message to them and have them check it out.

  3. #3
    Just a Virtualized Geek MrLinus's Avatar
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    Well, depending on the OS and the commands in the .bat file, yes, it can harm your PC. A .bat file is a batch file, which is a file that holds a "batch" of commands. Almost like a script file but not as powerful. That said, it could hold a command like "del c:". You might want to double check if anything was deleted. You can open the file with notepad.exe since .bat files are in clear text.

    [/edit]

    You might want to make sure that you can see all extensions in your email.
    Goodbye, Mittens (1992-2008). My pillow will be cold without your purring beside my head
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  4. #4
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    it means that these commands run in dos?
    i.e. that mail contained code like format c
    Sometimes realitys are dreams we cannot live in.... (as my bst fren says) [/shadow]

  5. #5
    Just a Virtualized Geek MrLinus's Avatar
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    Possibly. Open it up and see what's inside. Make sure your antivirus is running however just in case it's not a .bat file (I assume you have "View Full Extensions" enabled in your system)
    Goodbye, Mittens (1992-2008). My pillow will be cold without your purring beside my head
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  6. #6
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    This particular one is batch file...
    it already tried to format your C: drive... and who knows what...

    my sugestion is to post that file here, as attachment so we can see what it is about. AV software won't do anything about it, because it is not a virus... ah, what OS are you using?
    Ikalo
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    Make your knowledge your deadliest weapon.

  7. #7
    Just a Virtualized Geek MrLinus's Avatar
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    ..because it is not a virus
    How do you know that?

    The W32.Novarg worm uses .bat as an extension sometimes.
    Goodbye, Mittens (1992-2008). My pillow will be cold without your purring beside my head
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  8. #8
    Senior Member nihil's Avatar
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    I hope you see this in time

    Run msconfig and carefully check what is in your startup files.........it may try to format C:\ on the next boot.

    On the face of it it sounds more like a vandal than a virus?.............."vandals" are one-off destroyers, viruses have to infect and replicate?

    Cheers

  9. #9
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    Well I can't bw 100% sure, but it sounded like not a virus... virus don't destroy themselves before they replicate... it is probably 'vandal' like nihil said.

    A few years ago I got something similar. It was .bat file with following lines

    format c:
    y

    it gave me a god laugh... but someone less expirienced would probably started it...
    Ikalo
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    Make your knowledge your deadliest weapon.

  10. #10
    AO Curmudgeon rcgreen's Avatar
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    Do yourself a favor and add a little tweak to your context menu.

    http://www.dracon.net/regedit/reg04.html

    Then you can right click any unknown file and open it in notepad.
    I never double click unknown file types, but have several
    custom options in my right click "context" menu like notepad, debug.exe,
    hex edit, etc. The default action for BAT files is to execute
    the commands contained in it. Not exactly the safest way to open
    an unknown file.
    I came in to the world with nothing. I still have most of it.

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