How to Tell If a Strange New File Extension Is Ransomware: 4 Checks and What to Do First

A sudden unfamiliar file extension isn't always ransomware—it may be an incomplete download, a temporary file, or an enterprise encryption software glitch. This article explains four self-checks, the correct first steps of isolation and evidence preservation after confirming an infection, and why 'antivirus cleaned it' and 'files can open' are two different things.