File Extension Database

Open ENC File

File extension ENC are commonly associated to files written with UUencoding. Most files using this extension have gone through encryption producing a generic ENC suffix. These files are applicable for use on several operating system platforms including Linux, Mac, and Windows. ENC extension provides preliminary security to a file because of its encryption.

UUencoding refers to the binary-to-text encoding. In simple terms, binary data is converted in to text through series of ASCII codes represented by digits 0-127. The conversion is mostly used to generate portable email attachments. It was designed primarily for UNIX systems to exchange information.

There are several programs using ENC files as part of their package. PHP and Yahoo Messenger use ENC files along with their package for complete installation. For PHP, several ISO standard files are written with *.ENC extension. These files contain information about how characters will be represented in several languages.

For Yahoo Messenger, filter1.enc is the most common file include with its package. Originally, YM's filter1.enc is named filter1.txt prior to encryption. The process of encryption changes the file extension and altering the content. Filter1.enc in YM is used to contain information in relation to the "Chat Word Filter" feature.

There are no direct known threats brought by ENC files. However, most applications including PHP and YM have reported bugs pointing to some issues with their included ENC files. In some cases, ENC files are used as containers of infectious files that can hinder a system process. Norton AntiVirus in particular appends the extension ENC on files that it detects to contain malicious instructions. So, an infected file may some what look like "W32.Nimda.enc".

Several document authoring applications are able to open and edit unencrypted ENC files. Among these applications include Microsoft Word and Notepad from Microsoft. These Windows based applications can open most files with ENC extension similar to files with File extension DOC or File extension TXT extension. On the other hand, OpenOffice.org's Writer can also open ENC files similar to what Microsoft Word can do.

Even with the capability of opening and editing files with this extension, other files are unreadable by humans due to the encryptions applied. When opened with applications for viewing, these files will prompt a file containing combinations of text, numbers, and special characters without any solid clue of its content.

How Can I Open ENC File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open ENC file is to find a ENC file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ENC file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open ENC file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as ENC file opener then try to search online for "ENC viewer", "application to open ENC file" or "open ENC file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open ENC file

How Can I Open ENC File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a ENC file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ENC file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with ENC file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as ENC file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open ENC file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open ENC file then try to search for "ENC viewer", "application to open ENC file" or "read ENC file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read ENC file

How Can I Open ENC File on Android

If you downloaded a ENC file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded ENC file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "ENC".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "ENC viewer", "ENC file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open ENC File on iPhone or iPad

To open ENC File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the ENC file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "ENC". This way you can find apps which can open ENC files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "ENC viewer" or "ENC file" online in your favorite search engine.