Re: GMail blocking "executable" attachments

[Michael Silk <michaelslists () gmail com>]

I'm pretty sure they do.

It's depends on where the content will be delievered, I guess. If the
extension makes a difference as to whether it is executed or not then
there is no point checking the internal content. If the file is
executed based on it's header, then definately check it.

For example, find an executable, rename it to .txt and then go into
dos and type:
"whatever.txt". In my windows 2k and presumably XP, it will run it as
an executable, and not open it with notepad. If you double-click on it
from explorer, notepad opens it.

There should probably be a setting [but I suspect there already is] to
perform such a scan on the scanners you have on your servers.

-- Michael


On 4/19/05, Scovetta, Michael V <Michael.Scovetta () ca com> wrote:
> All-
>
> I've noticed that G-Mail blocks attachments that contain "executable"
> files. (A zip file containing an .MDB, and even a zip file containing a
> zip file containing an .MDB). I assume they'd block all the usual
> suspects, but isn't that sort of the point of sending e-mails with
> attachments? Renaming the enclosed .MDB to .TXT allows it to be send
> through, so it's not really a major problem. Do you think Google should
> be deep-scanning the files for content, or just the extension, and would
> running a virus detector against it be just as good?
>
> No real issue here, I just thought it was interesting-not sure if other
> major email providers do the same thing.
>
> Regards,
>
> Michael Scovetta
> Computer Associates
> Senior Application Developer