Is a txt document is safe compared to pdf ?

Question

Is a txt document is safe compared to pdf ?

I emailed a pdf from my mac to someone earlier this week, and was told

'Generally speaking plain text files- which have suffixes such as .txt, .csv, .md, .Rmd (and others)- are the only truly safe files. The files are too simple for virus to hide in (there is nothing in them but the characters in the file).' If this is the case why does Apple prefer to use them? I know News Groups prefer to use plain text and I've been told Visually Impaired people find .txt easier to read, so, why are they used by mac if they ant secure?

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.1

Posted on May 27, 2016 1:58 AM

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Answer 1

May 27, 2016 6:07 AM in response to paulfrombarry

Plain text files are indeed generally safer because they are not normally a means for viruses to attach themselves to. However sometimes files will pretend to be plain text files by having two file extensions.

thisisafile.txt <-- this would be a normal plain text file

thisisnotafile.txt.exe <-- this is a virus infected file masquerading as a txt file

This really only affects Windows machines. If they are configured to not display the file extension as normal then the .exe is 'hidden' and only the .txt bit shows and this as is intended will then trick the user. As I said this really only affects Windows machines.

The reason PDF files are used is that they can contain a far more complexly formatted document. A plain text file is literally plain text, no fonts, no font sizes, no bold and italic, and certainly no pictures. A PDF can contain tables, charts, pictures, colour, multiple fonts, and look like a proper book.

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