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Skype localization data file

application/octet-stream

Safe

Magic Bytes

Offset: 0
4D 4C 53 57

The Skype localization data file is a proprietary resource format developed by Skype Technologies for use in earlier versions of their VoIP communication software. These files store interface translations and text strings, allowing the application to display menus and dialogs in various user-selected languages. As modern Skype versions utilize web-based architectures, this binary format is considered obsolete and poses no significant security risk, containing only static text data.

Extension

.mls

MIME Type

application/octet-stream

Byte Offset

0

Risk Level

Safe

Validation Code

How to validate .mls files in Python

Python
def is_mls(file_path: str) -> bool:
    """Check if file is a valid MLS by magic bytes."""
    signature = bytes([0x4D, 0x4C, 0x53, 0x57])
    with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
        return f.read(4) == signature

How to validate .mls files in Node.js

Node.js
function isMLS(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
  const signature = Buffer.from([0x4D, 0x4C, 0x53, 0x57]);
  return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}

How to validate .mls files in Go

Go
func IsMLS(data []byte) bool {
    signature := []byte{0x4D, 0x4C, 0x53, 0x57}
    if len(data) < 4 {
        return false
    }
    return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}

API Endpoint

GET /api/v1/mls
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/mls

Related Formats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .mls file?

A .mls file is a Skype localization data file file. The Skype localization data file is a proprietary resource format developed by Skype Technologies for use in earlier versions of their VoIP communication software. These files store interface translations and text strings, allowing the application to display menus and dialogs in various user-selected languages. As modern Skype versions utilize web-based architectures, this binary format is considered obsolete and poses no significant security risk, containing only static text data.

What are the magic bytes for .mls files?

The magic bytes for Skype localization data file files are 4D 4C 53 57 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.

How do I validate a .mls file?

To validate a .mls file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (4D 4C 53 57) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.

What is the MIME type for .mls files?

The primary MIME type for .mls files is application/octet-stream.

Is it safe to open .mls files?

Skype localization data file (.mls) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.