Microsoft KB Archive/174009

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Mail Attachment Security Add-on Available
Last reviewed: September 18, 1997

Article ID: Q174009

The information in this article applies to:


 * The Microsoft Network, versions 1.0, 1.05, 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.5

SUMMARY
Although e-mail provides an efficient and easy way to share information, you may run the risk of unknowingly opening an attachment that starts a program or executable code that could cause damage to your computer.

Microsoft provides a security feature to provide you with a warning before attachments are opened. Microsoft encourages all MSN, The Microsoft Network, members who are using Microsoft Exchange versions 4.x or 5.x, Windows Messaging, or Microsoft Outlook 97 as their e-mail program to download the Mail Attachment Security Add-on for Microsoft Mail Clients. To do so, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/mailaddon.htm If you use Microsoft Internet Mail and News, you can obtain a similar mail security attachment add-on by installing Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02. To obtain Internet Explorer 3.02, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download/

MORE INFORMATION
The Mail Security Attachment Add-on protects you from opening attachments that have been altered to start a program or executable code that might damage your computer. If the add-on detects that an attachment has been changed, you receive a warning message. You are then prompted to choose whether or not to open the attachment. In addition, you have the ability to bypass the warning for selected file types that you feel comfortable opening without a warning, as well as for executable code that is signed using Authenticode.

Authenticode is a technology that software publishers use to sign their products, helping to ensure that content and files you download from the Internet are authentic and safe. For additional information about Authenticode, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q 164475 TITLE    : Availability of Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95 and NT 4.0