As we know, there are many security threats that we can find on the Internet. There are many types of malware and attacks that in one way or another can compromise us when browsing. Some are more dangerous and could even prevent us from using our computers or accessing stored files and data. In this article we will explain what to do if we have a virus that has changed the file extensions . This is relatively common within threat types.
Many types of malware can compromise us on the network
There are many types of threats that have different objectives. We are talking, for example, of ransomware, which aims to encrypt computers and files and later ask for a financial ransom in return. Also malicious software such as keyloggers that are designed to steal passwords. Even spyware is also very present, which is used to spy on users.
Luckily we also have tools at our disposal that can protect us against all this. There are many types of malware removal applications, functions, and features to prevent unwanted intruders from entering our computers. Also, logically, common sense is essential.
In short, there are many types of malware that in one way or another can compromise us on the network. We must always take steps to protect ourselves. Let’s see what to do when a virus has changed the file extensions.
A virus has changed the file extensions
This is something that can happen to users. Suddenly they see that the file extensions like videos, music, texts … have changed. The cause may be a virus that has infected the system and has taken over.
Use a security tool
Something basic that we must do whenever our team has some kind of problem is to use a security tool. A good antivirus can help us in the fight to find malicious software on the system and also fix problems that it may have caused.
There are many options that we have at our disposal, we can use them for all types of operating systems and devices, but without a doubt we must use one that is guaranteed, that allows us to achieve our goal and that also does not do more damage than there is. .
Return to defaults
Another option is to revert to default values . Sometimes this type of threat not only adds different extensions to the files, but can even change the settings to use the browser, for example. Suppose we have a virus that affects Mozilla Firefox only and therefore it is interested in us using that browser. You can modify the Windows settings so that Firefox is the default application.
In this way they achieve that when the browser starts, when opening a page or any link from an application, it is open that one and not another.
To return to the default values we have to go to Start, open Settings, enter Applications, Default applications and there we change what interests us in case any threat has made any changes. In addition, we can give Reset .
Delete the UserChoice folder
To do this, it is best to previously perform a restore point on the system. Later we open the Registry Editor . We have to start the Windows + R key combination and run regedit.
Once we are here, we must access the path EquipoHKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts.
What we have to do when we get to this point is to go one by one opening the extensions folders. In which we see a folder inside with the name UserChoice , we delete it.
File Association Repair
We can also make use of the file association repairer . Such malware can break file associations through the Windows Registry. There are third-party programs that are free and that allow us to solve this problem. An example is File Association Fixer , a program that allows you to avoid these problems.
In short, these are some solutions we have to fix our system in case a virus has changed the file extensions.
