Why unsafe files are received through email?

Unsafe or Virus Threats Disguised as Certain File Types

The "unsafe" category represents any extension that may have malicious script or code associated with it that could be threatening or considered as a risk to your desktop, your company's email systems, and/or Your company's file servers. Any attachment with an "unsafe" file extension is inaccessible if you use a version of Outlook that has the security patch applied to it.

The list below contains attachments that are considered unsafe.

All such incoming attachments sent to email users should be filtered. Attachments have the potential to damage client computers and spread malicious code throughout your company network, your customers, your suppliers, and others on the Internet.

Attachments that are known to contain malicious code, as well as attachments with extensions that have an increased likelihood of containing malicious code (i.e., *.exe), can be stripped from the email message.

A warning message can be inserted into the original message, to state that the attachment was removed. A variety of other attachments with low potential for containing malicious code, need not be renamed or stripped.

Most of the time the contents of the attachment have NOT been examined in any way; the action taken was entirely based on the name of the attachment.

ade	Microsoft Access project extension
.adp	Microsoft Access project
.app	Visual Fox-Pro Application
.asf	Windows Media Audio/Video
.bas	Microsoft Visual Basic class module
.bat	Batch file
.chm	Compiled HTML Help file
.cmd	Microsoft Windows NT/2000 Command script
.com	Microsoft MS-DOS program
.cpl	Control Panel extension
.crt	Security certificate
.eml	Internet Email Message
.exe	Executable Program
.hlp	Help file
.ht	HyperTerminal file
.hta	HTML program
.inf	Setup Information
.ins	Internet Naming Service
.isp	Internet Communication settings
.js	JavaScript or JScript file
.jse	Jscript Encoded Script file
.lnk	Shortcut
.mdb	Microsoft Access program
.mde	Microsoft Access MDE database
.mp3	MP3 Audio file
.msc	Microsoft Common Console document
.msi	Microsoft Windows Installer package
.msp	Microsoft Windows Installer patch
.mst	Microsoft Visual Test source files
.nws	Internet News Message
.pcd	Photo CD image, Microsoft Visual compiled script
.pi	Shortcut to MS-DOS program
.pif .png	Shortcut to MS-DOS program Graphics File
.reg	Registration entries
.scr	Screen saver
.sct	Windows Script Component
.shb	Shell Scrap object
.shs	Shell Scrap object
.url	Internet shortcut
.uue	UUEncoded (compressed) file
.vb	VBScript file
.vba	VBScript file
.vbe	VBScript Encoded script file
.vbs	VBScript file
.wav	Wave file
.wmv	Windows Media Audio/Video file
.wsc	Windows Script Component
.wsf	Windows Script file
.wsh	Windows Script Host Settings file

Related Categories:

Microsoft Messaging Resources Search

Design and layout by Abdul Hameed

Topic Areas

Featured

Recommended Sites

Sister sites

Recognition

Content Partners