One of the ways that KU protects Exchange users from malicious software is by blocking attachments that may be used to transmit viruses or malicious software.
The table below contains a description of file types currently being blocked along with the common file extensions for these files.
See FAQ section below for more details.
| Description | Extension |
|---|---|
| MS Access Project Extension | ade |
| MS Access Project | adp |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | arc |
| Visual Basic Class Module | bas |
| batch file | bat |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | cab |
| Compiled HTML Help file | chm |
| Java Class File | cla / class |
| Windows NT command script | cmd |
| MS-DOS application | com |
| Control panel extension | cpl |
| Security certificate | crt |
| Application | exe |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | gzip |
| Windows Help file | hlp |
| HTML applications | hta |
| Setup information file | inf |
| Internet communication settings | ins |
| Internet communication settings | isp |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | jar |
| Jscript file | js |
| Jscript encoded script file | jse |
| Java Server Page | jsp |
| MS common console document | msc |
| Windows Installer file | msi / mst |
| OLE Control Extension | ocx |
| Kodak Photo CD Multiresolution Image | pcd |
| Shortcut to MS-DOS programs | pif |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | rar |
| Registration entries | reg |
| Screen saver | scr |
| Windows script component | sct |
| shell scrap object | shs |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | sit |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | tar |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | tgz |
| VBscript file | vb |
| VBscript encoded script file | vbe |
| VBscript script file | vbs |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | war |
| Windows script component | wsc |
| Windows script file | wsf |
| Windows scripting host settings file | wsh |
| Archive file (See FAQ, below) | zip |
How do I know a file is being blocked?
The KU Exchange user that is sending or receiving a blocked attachment receives an email notification that an attachment has been blocked.
A file is being blocked. What do I do?
Renaming the file extension won't work. The scanning software is smart enough to detect the blocked filetypes, even if they're renamed.
To send or receive an attachment that is being blocked, the sender of the message must first place the file into a password-protected archive file, then attach it to the message. There are a variety of Windows and Macintosh programs that can create these files, including WinZip and StuffIt.
The sender should include instructions in the email telling the recipient the archive type and contents. The password can be transmitted in the email message or by phoning the recipient.
Password-protected archives should NEVER be used to transmit any data that is confidential or protected, because password-protected archives are easy to decode by any determined hacker.
Why is my archive file being blocked?
Archive files are NOT automatically blocked. The only time an archive file is not delivered is when it contains a file that is of a type that is blocked.
If an archive file is blocked, the sender needs to put the archive file into a password protected archive file (yes, an archive within an archive), then send that file to the recipient.
The sender should include instructions in the email telling the recipient the archive type and contents. The password can be transmitted in the email message or by phoning the recipient.
Password-protected archives should NEVER be used to transmit any data that is confidential or protected, because password-protected archives are easy to decode by any determined hacker.
