Microsoft File Type ".shs" can be used to destroy your system
9/02/2017
Poisonous Scraps (Windows systems only)
Microsoft File Type ".shs" can be used to destroy your
system.
Microsoft invented the scrap object as a wrapper for
OLE data. Launching a scrap invokes any program defined
in the object's properties.
The scrap object's icon is almost identical to the text
document's icon. Windows Explorer hides the associated
".shs" extension even when it's configured to show all
extensions, so an e-mail attachment named Report.txt.shs
would be displayed as Report.txt
This seemingly innocent attachment can invoke any command
at all: How about FORMAT C:? The only surprise is that
malicious use of this feature has only begun recently.
PLEASE remember that editing the Registry file can cause
problems - it is best to back up the registry file before
editing it - DRW.
Here's how to remove the camouflage that makes scrap
objects dangerous. Launch REGEDIT (or better, our (PC
Magazine's) RegEdit+ utility) and navigate to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ShellScrap.
Find the value named NeverShowExt in the righthand pane
and delete it.
Do the same for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DocShortcut.
Now launch Windows Explorer, choose Folder Options from
the View menu, and click the File Types tab.
Select Scrap object from the list, click Edit, and click
Change Icon. Browse to "Pifmgr.dll" (in the Windows
System folder) and select the last icon--a bundle of
dynamite!
Do the same for the Shortcut into a document file type.
Visit to learn more.
You'll be amazed and alarmed.--NJR
I have tried this on my Win95 OSR2 Micron system, and it
works just fine. The instructions do work, but occasionally,
there were very slight variations, such as, how to change
the icon for files using the .shs suffix. Still, you should
not have any real trouble following the instructions - DRW.
While I had no trouble, and didn't back up my Registry file,
your experience may differ.
- PC Magazine, October 17, 2000
SEE ALSO
Technical Info Home Page
BUGS / HACKS / PROBLEMS / SCAMS / WARNINGS information (click here)
RECOMMENDATIONS for Securing your Computer
REGISTRY - Complete Windows Registry Information
SECURITY PROBLEMS, Computer information (click here)
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