Re: blocking .ZIP attachments

["Smotherman, Brian" <bsmother () EX OCI PCC EDU>]

John
 
For other solutions to blocking all ZIP attachment, it depends what software you are using to filter. I am using 
Symantec AVFE 4.5. This has a feature to block, unscanable files, unrepairable files, and encrypted files. 

 

I have enabled these filters which means ZIP attachments can get through, but only if they can be scanned for viruses. 
If they are encrypted then they cannot be scanned and therefore will not get through.

 

This has worked well for me...

 

Brian Smotherman
Network Analyst
Portland Community College
bsmotherman () computers pcc edu
503.533.2782

________________________________

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Discussion Group Listserv on behalf of John C Borne
Sent: Thu 8/19/2004 2:53 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] blocking .ZIP attachments



I apologize if this topic has been discussed before, but I couldn't find
any direct mention of this specific issue recently.

We have a problem with viruses penetrating the campus "under the radar" so
to speak. Before a new virus is detected and the anti-virus update is
written, received, and distributed, we have a window of vulnerability. In
the past we have lost a considerable amount of time repairing these
outbreaks. The vector for many of these infections has been through
attachments especially .ZIP's. At first we were intermittently blocking
.zip and other attachments; going back and forth between blocking and
accepting as each new virus appeared. We found that keeping the zip's
blocked had a big impact on minimizing the impact of new virii.

We've gotten to the point where we cringe at the thought of unblocking
.zip's and would like to make it permanent. Before I propose this to the
administration, I wanted to see if anyone could comment on whether they
are, or are not, blocking zip's and other attachments and if not, what
other solutions they have considered.

Thanks.

John Borne
Asst Dir for System Support
Computing Services
Louisiana State University

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