TB and Renaming ZIP Files

Trying to rename and send a zip file to someone where zip files are filtered. I rename the file giving it another extension but when I attache it in TB, it adds the .ZIP anyway. Does anyone have a work around?

 

Do you know if he can get any compressed files? Renaming is not enough.
You may try some third party program . I have no opinion about any of them, nor tried them.

 

I renamed a small zip file from extension zip to txt and then attached file into TB. Mailed to one of my email accounts managed in TB. Attached txt file was delivered, I saved as a zip file, worked just fine.

 

Tried renaming to txt but as soon as I added as an attachement in TB it stuck the .ZIP on the end.

Ex.
anyfile.txt.ZIP

 

Ex.
anyfile.txt.ZIP

Must say this is interesting. Their was a similar issue in Netscape/Browser which added a erroneous file extensions when user downloaded a file from a website through the browser. Culprit was a improperly configured Helper.
This is doing the same, but with a twist. Above problem always added the same extension value. Lets test if yours does the same. I would make test copies of the following file types for test purposes ....
Rename a DOC file to Zip
Rename a EXE file to txt
If TB continues to add Zip extension, at least we know their is a problem.
If TB correctly edits and adds the correct extension, I would be suspicious of a 3rd party active program (security type ?) involvement .. which would be a interesting find.

 

I used TB1.0.7. I made a copy of an .exe file (about 300Kb), and, compressed the copy to .zip with Stuffit for Windows, reducing it in size to 171Kb. I, then, made a copy of it, and renamed that copy to .txt. I attached the file to an e-mail to one of my accounts, and it remained .txt.
I, then, checked my mail, and the message was there. some code was in the message, as well as a .txt attachment. I selected to download it on the desktop, and then renamed the formerly attached file to .zip. I opened the .zip file with no problem, getting the same icon which I started with.
There was no attempt to give double extention, at any time.
So, the idea works. I used copies as a comparison only.

 

RJ,

Pretty sure that Dennis L hit the nail on the head. I send Zip files frequently using TB, and have never had your experience...

 

I followed Dennis L's instructions precisely and each time I added the file in TB it stuck on the correct original extension for each file.

 

Thanks for posting back. Let's get on the same page in what TB is doing.
_____________________________________________________________
When you Rename1.DOC to Rename1.Zip -- TB attaches file as Rename1.zip.DOC
When you Rename2.EXE to Rename2.txt ---TB attaches file as Rename2.txt.EXE

If the above is correct, could you please provide the type of mail account you use when this occurs. Could this possible be a IMAP account and more so, an secured IMAP account managed in an office environment?

 

Yes, that is exactly what it is doing. It is a POP account and it is my home email.

 

Hmmm, an aberration of the 2nd power. My instincts say malware, yet the action is the opposite .. TB is revealing the file's true identity (per proper file extension). Now their is the remote possibility, you do have a virus .. but written in a fashion (by accident or intentionally ?) that is reading the header of the file and displaying the proper file type. But for now could you please provide all of your security tools... AV, firewall, active Adaware programs, and TB extensions. We may want to look at your Task list (with TB loaded).
Other suggestion ....
Do you have any "Web" email accounts (Hotmail, Yahoo) that allow attachments?
Would you be willing to install a small "zip install" email client?
If the same behavior continues with alternate email resources, we can take TB out of the mix and direct our attention to "something" on your computer. At that time I would suggest reading wBBS General Security and start a new post.

 

Tried it with Outlook, Gmail and the only extensions I have are Fireftp and Dictionary Search. Tried shutting down my FW and AV with no change. My adaware stuff is not real time and the tasks and processes lists show nothing unusual. I scan and update my AV daily (Computer Assoc EZArmor). Any other ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. It's not a big deal but it drives me crazy not knowing why it is doing this.

 

When you added the test attachments to Outlook and Gmail did the same behavior occur as in ThunderBird?

 

Yes it did.

 

Yes it did.


The good news ....
This is not a Thunderbird issue.

The bad news ...
Something is on your computer.

When one searches the net for "Double file extension ", everything points to nasty. The neighborhood includes emails, attachments, and AV scanners trying to catch and stop them .... when files come in.
Your situation is the same neighborhood ... but re-edits files before they go out. It removes the cloaking and reveals the file true identity. This requires an active running process. Process only functions during the attachment process. I am not aware of any AV / scanners that provide this type service(?). Until we know different, handle it like a virus. Read the information at wBBS General Security, run your scans, and if required post a HijackThis Log.