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

Additional query words: 2.00 2.50 Keywords : msnmail kbtool Version : WINDOWS:1.0,1.05,1.2,1.3,2.0,2.5 Platform : WINDOWS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Last reviewed: September 18, 1997 ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.