Why are some emails with attachments blocked or quarantined for security reasons

Why are some emails with attachments blocked or quarantined?

Due to the ever-increasing risk caused by email viruses, we must now restrict the ability to send files that contain certain file extensions. These file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email.

Which file extensions do you block?

Why are these particular file extensions considered such a security risk?

As mentioned above, these file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email. Virus programmers choose these extensions because your operating system recognizes them as programs. Programs are executed on your computer when you double-click them, and they run with the permissions you have on your computer. That includes the ability to install software, delete files, send email, or format your hard drive.

These files are different from other files like txt files for this reason. If you double-click on a file like myfile.txt, your operating system launches the associated program for that file, which would be Notepad. It then displays the file within Notepad. If the operating system can not find an associated program, it displays an error instead of launching the program.

Who is notified if delivery of a mail message is blocked because of the type of attachment it contains?

Generally the intended recipient will receive notification in the form of a mail message. The mail message will generally look like this:

Message from <SENDER_ADDRESS> was quarantined for security reasons because it contained a file extension not permitted to be sent via email at Kent State University.

Regrettably, due to the ever-increasing risk caused by email viruses, we must now restrict the ability to send files that contain the following extensions: bat, cmd, cpl, exe, pif, and scr. These file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email

You should also be very careful opening files with the following extensions: vbs, bat, com, js, lnk, wsh, vbe, or wsf, which are also characteristic of a virus containing email.

If you are expecting to receive a file of this type from this person, please ask them to send the file to you as a zip file or ask them to rename the file with another extension. You will need to rename the file back to its original name to run the file.

The intended recipient will need to contact the sender and ask them to resend the file in a different format or with a different file name.

Where can I download a program to make a file into a zip file?

Go to the following website and click on the �Utilities� link for your operating system:

http://helpdesk.kent.edu/software/

NOTE: It has occasionally been necessary for Kent State University�s mail administrators to block delivery of zip files due to virus outbreaks. If this occurs, you will need to rename the file extension as listed below.

How can I rename the extension on a file?

� Find the file you would like to rename on the computer Desktop or in the My Computer.

� Place your mouse cursor over the file, and click the right mouse button once.

� On the pop-up menu that appears, click the Rename option.

� The file name will appear in edit mode with the entire file name selected. Type the new file name with the new extension.

o If you are sending an attachment, and you aren�t sure what to type, just try replacing characters after the period with txt.
Example: If the file is named myfile.exe and you want to change the extension type myfile.txt

o If you received an attachment, you will need to ask the sender how you should rename the file.

� Hit the enter key.

� You may receive a message warning that changing the name of a file extension could cause it to become unstable. Click �Yes� or �OK� to confirm that you want to change the filename.

� If you are sending a file to someone, be sure to include these instructions and the correct file name in the email.




Phone: 330-672-HELP - Email: helpdesk@kent.edu - Web: http://helpdesk.kent.edu


	Helpdesk Home Text-Only Helpdesk Search the Helpdesk Computer Recommendations Contact Us Downloads ERP Implementation Banner Cognos Workflow Self-service Exchange Training Outlook Web Access Faculty Refresh Flashline FlashMail FlashWord Flashzone Forms Getting Started How to's Internet Access Knowledge Bases KSU VPN KSU Links Labs on campus Library Information Listserv Macintosh Microsoft Software PASS FAQ Phone Directory Proxy Services Helpdesk Information Services Security Software Spam Supported Software Training WebCT Web Page Information Web For Faculty Web For Students	Why are some emails with attachments blocked or quarantined for security reasons Why are some emails with attachments blocked or quarantined? Due to the ever-increasing risk caused by email viruses, we must now restrict the ability to send files that contain certain file extensions. These file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email. Which file extensions do you block? Bat Cmd Cpl Exe Pif Scr Vbs Com Why are these particular file extensions considered such a security risk? As mentioned above, these file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email. Virus programmers choose these extensions because your operating system recognizes them as programs. Programs are executed on your computer when you double-click them, and they run with the permissions you have on your computer. That includes the ability to install software, delete files, send email, or format your hard drive. These files are different from other files like txt files for this reason. If you double-click on a file like myfile.txt, your operating system launches the associated program for that file, which would be Notepad. It then displays the file within Notepad. If the operating system can not find an associated program, it displays an error instead of launching the program. Who is notified if delivery of a mail message is blocked because of the type of attachment it contains? Generally the intended recipient will receive notification in the form of a mail message. The mail message will generally look like this: Message from <SENDER_ADDRESS> was quarantined for security reasons because it contained a file extension not permitted to be sent via email at Kent State University. Regrettably, due to the ever-increasing risk caused by email viruses, we must now restrict the ability to send files that contain the following extensions: bat, cmd, cpl, exe, pif, and scr. These file types are very often instrumental in the spread of viruses via email You should also be very careful opening files with the following extensions: vbs, bat, com, js, lnk, wsh, vbe, or wsf, which are also characteristic of a virus containing email. If you are expecting to receive a file of this type from this person, please ask them to send the file to you as a zip file or ask them to rename the file with another extension. You will need to rename the file back to its original name to run the file. The intended recipient will need to contact the sender and ask them to resend the file in a different format or with a different file name. Where can I download a program to make a file into a zip file? Go to the following website and click on the �Utilities� link for your operating system: http://helpdesk.kent.edu/software/ NOTE: It has occasionally been necessary for Kent State University�s mail administrators to block delivery of zip files due to virus outbreaks. If this occurs, you will need to rename the file extension as listed below. How can I rename the extension on a file? � Find the file you would like to rename on the computer Desktop or in the My Computer. � Place your mouse cursor over the file, and click the right mouse button once. � On the pop-up menu that appears, click the Rename option. � The file name will appear in edit mode with the entire file name selected. Type the new file name with the new extension. o If you are sending an attachment, and you aren�t sure what to type, just try replacing characters after the period with txt. Example: If the file is named myfile.exe and you want to change the extension type myfile.txt o If you received an attachment, you will need to ask the sender how you should rename the file. � Hit the enter key. � You may receive a message warning that changing the name of a file extension could cause it to become unstable. Click �Yes� or �OK� to confirm that you want to change the filename. � If you are sending a file to someone, be sure to include these instructions and the correct file name in the email.