Attachment Blocking
The Message Gateway Service (MGS) is currently removing certain types of attachments from messages which enter or leave the Networking Tasmania network and could pose a security risk to the network. While there are obviously legitimate uses for these types of files, they also have the potential to be used to transport malware (viruses/spam engines/keyboard loggers etc) to unsuspecting end users.
If a file you require has been blocked by the MGS, please contact the person who sent it to you and ask them to resend it using an alternative method. One method would be to include the file in an encrypted ZIP archive, as this helps ensure you are only opening files that you expected to be sent to you.
The following file extension are currently being block by the existing policy;
.ade | Access Project Extension (Microsoft Corporation) |
.adp | Access Project (Microsoft Corporation) |
.ani | Animated Cursor File |
.app | Application object file |
.asd | Advanced Streaming format (ASF) Description file |
.asf | Active Advanced Streaming Format |
.asx | Windows Media Audio / Video |
.bas | Microsoft Visual Basic class module |
.bat | Batch file |
.chm | Compiled HTML Help file |
.cmd | Microsoft Windows NT Command script |
.com | Microsoft MS-DOS program |
.cpl | Control Panel extension |
.crt | Security certificate |
.dll | A file containing runtime routines for use with program files |
.doc.exe | Self-Extracting Work document |
.exe | Program |
.fxp | FoxPro executable precompiled prg |
.hta | HTML program |
.inf | Setup Information |
.ini | Setup files |
.ins | Internet Naming Service |
.isp | Internet Communication settings |
.js | JScript file |
.jse | Jscript Encoded Script file |
.ksh | UNIX Shell Script |
.lib | Program Library Common files |
.lnk | Shortcut |
.mdz | Cubic Player – Cross-View |
.msc | Microsoft Common Console document |
.msi | Microsoft Windows Installer package |
.msp | Microsoft Windows Installer patch |
.mst | Microsoft Windows Installer transform; Microsoft Visual Test source file |
.obj | Object code |
.ocx | Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding |
.ops | Office Profile Settings File (Microsoft Corporation) |
.pcd | Photo CD image; Microsoft Visual compiled script |
.pdf.exe | Self-Extracting PDF |
.pif | Shortcut to MS-DOS program |
.prf | Pixel Run Format graphics file/Printer Driver |
.prg | Atari program |
.reg | Registration entries |
.req | File Request |
.scf | Windows Explorer Command |
.scr | Screen saver |
.sct | Windows Script Component |
.sea | Self-Extracting compressed Macintosh file Archive |
.sh | Unix Share Archive file |
.shb | Shell Scrap object |
.shs | Shell Scrap object |
.sys | PC Data files |
.url | Internet shortcut |
.vb | Visual Basic script |
.vbe | VBScript Encoded script file |
.vbs | VBScript file |
.vxd | Virtual Device Driver |
.wmd | Windows Media Download file |
.wmf | Windows MetaFile vector graphics – self-extracting |
.wms | Windows Media Skin file |
.wmz | Windows Media Compressed Skin file |
.wsc | Windows Script Component |
.wsf | Windows Script file |
.wsh | Windows Script Host Settings file |
.xsl | Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet |
It is possible that other extensions will have to be blocked in the future, given that virus authors frequently use new approaches. |