KDC File

What are KDC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a KDC file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your KDC files.

What is a KDC file?

KDC files have multiple uses, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus Signature Bases is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Signature Bases

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Signature Bases (.KDC) files contain the malware signature databases used by Kaspersky Anti-Virus to detect known threats. They are binary update files created by Kaspersky Lab and distributed to client installations so that the software can identify viruses, worms, Trojans and other malicious code. When Kaspersky checks your system, it refers to the definitions stored in .KDC files to match files on your computer against known threat signatures.

KDC files are produced centrally by Kaspersky and downloaded automatically or manually by the protection software during its update process. They are not typically edited by users. If the database is out of date, detection will fail or accuracy will drop. Kaspersky Anti-Virus reads these files and integrates their contents into its scanning engine in order to identify, quarantine, or remove malware.

Files begin with the ASCII header "KDC1" at the very start, followed by versioning and structural metadata approximately eight bytes in. Additional identifying bytes at fixed offsets within the first 40 bytes serve to confirm authenticity and compatibility with Kaspersky's scanning engine.

How to open KDC files

We have identified one KDC opener that is compatible with this specific type of KDC file.

Programs that open Kaspersky Anti-Virus Signature Bases files

Last updated: January 22, 2025

All known file formats using extension .KDC

While Kaspersky Anti-Virus Signature Bases is a popular type of KDC-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .KDC file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Kodak Digital Camera RAW Image

Kodak Digital Camera RAW Image (extension .KDC) is a raw image file format used by early Kodak consumer digital still cameras of the DC series, such as the DC40, DC50, and DC120. It captures the sensor's unfiltered data (before standard processing like compression or white balance) so that the user can convert or develop the image later with more control over its appearance. This format saves images in full color, with 24-bit color depth.

These files are created by the camera itself when set to its RAW mode. They contain minimally processed data directly from the image sensor, often with an embedded thumbnail (often around size 80 × 60) inserted in the file header. The raw portion may be stored in either compressed or uncompressed form: in compressed files, a JPEG-encoded section begins at a specific offset, while uncompressed versions provide raw pixel data starting from the same offset.

Technically the KDC format uses a proprietary structure loosely based on TIFF or TIFF-like headers. It employs a Bayer sensor array pattern (alternating green-red and blue-green pixel layout) and stores color in RGB (three channels) when reconstructed. In many instances the data follows big-endian ordering.

KDC opener for Windows

We have identified 5 KDC openers that are compatible with this specific type of KDC file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of KDC files. Remember, different programs may use KDC files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about KDC file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.