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One of the most useful features of e-mail is the ability to send digital files. But once you receive an attachment, how do you open it? The answer depends on the type of file and how your computer is configured.
All digital files have names, such as "balloon1.jpg." The letters after
the "." are known as the file extension and indicate which kind
of program can open the file. For instance, you can view a .jpg photo file
with your web browser and listen to a .mp3 music file with Windows Media Player and iTunes, among others. The most common types of files sent over the Net
include these:
| File Type |
Extension |
Opens With... |
| Images |
.jpg
.gif |
A web browser, Office Picture Manager, image editing programs |
| Music |
.mp3
.mpg
.ra
.wav
.wmf |
Windows Media Player or iTunes
Windows Media Player
RealPlayer
Windows Media Player or iTunes
Windows Media Player |
| Video |
.avi
.mov
.qt
.ram |
Windows Media Player
QuickTime
QuickTime
RealPlayer |
| Documents |
.doc
.xls
.pdf |
Word
Excel
Acrobat Reader |
To learn more about file types and for a comprehensive list, refer to the File Formats article.
Beware of Viruses
Attachments may be dangerous to the health of your computer.
Why? Because they can conceal viruses and other malicious programs
designed to destroy your data or cause computer chaos. Unless
you know who sent an attachment, DO NOT OPEN IT. Delete
the attachment to avoid infection.
Even if you do know the source, scan it with anti-virus software
before you open it. If your computer has an anti-virus program
running in the background, it should automatically check for viruses.
For more on this, read to the Computer
Virus article.
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Learn the Net (www.learnthenet.com) is
Copyright 1996-2008.
Michael Lerner Productions.
All Rights Reserved.
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