Tic-Tech: Fwd: Expanded Virus Protection - Forwarded

From: Mark Ahlness (mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us)
Date: Mon Apr 16 2001 - 11:04:01 PDT

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    --- TIC-TECH message:

    > -----Original Message-----
    > From: SMTP%
    > [mailto:"WPGATE::VAXES::WPGATE::SMTP%\"JMCNAMEE@seattleschools.org\""@is
    > .ssd.k12.wa.us]
    > Sent: Monday, April 09, 2001 11:06 AM
    > To: reception@seattleschools.org
    > Subject: Expanded Virus Protection
    >
    > Information Services will be enhancing the District's virus protection at
    > the email gateway. The enhancements will be put in place on Tuesday, 4/10.
    >
    > What will change:
    >
    > 1. All executable attachments will automatically be removed from both
    > incoming and outgoing messages. Executable attachments include any files
    > that can be run by double-clicking them or by opening them in an email.
    > Files with the following extensions will automatically be deleted: bat, com,
    > exe, pif, wsc, wsf, wsh, avi, mpg, mpeg, mov, rm, mp3, mp2, wav, au, mod,
    > wma, scr, sct, lnk, ocx, vb, vbs, vbe, hta, shs, shb
    >
    > 2. Winmail.dat and normal.dot attachments will automatically be deleted.
    > These attachments can encapsulate viruses.
    >
    > 3. A set of additional attachment types will be removed from incoming and
    > outgoing messages, but will be saved on the email gateway. Seattle Schools
    > email users will be able to request that these attachments be retrieved and
    > forwarded to them if they are sure the attachments don't contain viruses.
    > The following attachment types will be quarantined: asx, asp, dot, xla,
    > xlt, pl, pm, hlp, chm, cha, eml, adp, ade, js, jse, mdb, mda, mde, mdw, msi,
    > msp, reg, asd, cil, pps, wms, wmz, wmd
    >
    > 4. Microsoft document attachments will be scanned at the gateway. If they
    > receive a score indicating they may contain a virus, they will be
    > quarantined. Seattle Schools email users will be able to request that these
    > attachments be retrieved and forwarded to them if they are sure the
    > attachments don't contain viruses. The following attachment types will be
    > scanned: dot, doc, xls, xlw, ppt, pot, rtf
    >
    > 5. All other attachment types will be "defanged." This means that they will
    > be renamed to guarantee that they can't be executed by double-clicking on
    > the name or opening the attachment from the email client. Instead, users
    > will need to save the attachments before opening them. This will give the
    > recipient's antivirus software an opportunity to scan the attachment for
    > viruses before it is opened.
    >
    > In all cases where an attachment is removed or renamed, the recipient will
    > be notified what has been changed and why. There will also be instructions
    > for requesting receipt of quarantined attachments and opening "defanged"
    > attachments.
    >
    > The enhanced virus protection at the gateway will operate in a much more
    > automatic fashion than the quarantining process we have previously had in
    > place. This means that messages will be passed through the gateway much more
    > quickly than in the past. The downside is that executable attachments will
    > automatically be deleted without review. Seattle Schools email users who
    > need to send executable attachments by email should zip them before sending.
    > You should also request that your correspondents zip any executable
    > attachments they intend to send to you.
    >
    > We apologize for any inconvenience the enhanced virus protection may cause.
    > Unfortunately, in today's virus-rich environment, failing to take additional
    > precautions would result in worse consequences for all district users.
    >
    > Thanks,
    > Judy
    >
    > ------------------------------------------------------
    > Judy McNamee
    > Manager, Computer Operations
    > Seattle Public Schools
    > Voice: 206-252-0306
    > Fax: 206-252-0301
    > jmcnamee@seattleschools.org
    > -------------------------------------------------------
    Mark Ahlness
    mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
    Arbor Heights Elementary School

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