Issue:
You received a notice that an e-mail file attachment is prohibited and you need to be able to send or receive the file.
Explanation:
Certain file types are blocked from incoming or outgoing e-mail due to their inherent security risk. These are generally files that contain or can contain executable code. These are dangerous because they will execute if you open them either from within the e-mail message or if you download and open them. Executable files can and often do contain viruses or ransomware.
Files with these file extensions are blocked:
| accde |
dotm |
pptm |
wsf |
| bat |
docm |
potm |
wsh |
| chm |
hta |
ppsm |
xla |
| cil |
java |
scr |
xlm |
| cmd |
js |
shs |
xlam |
| com |
jse |
sldm |
xlsm |
| cpl |
mde |
vbe |
xltm |
| dll |
msi |
vbs |
|
| exe |
pif |
wms |
|
Note that if the blocked file is a compressed file (such as ZIP or RAR), it was blocked because it contained one or more restricted files.
What to do:
If you were not expecting the file and/or do not recognize the sender, you may simply delete the message.
Otherwise, here are a few workarounds in order to send or receive prohibited files:
- You might be able to send or receive a file by removing the the file extension or changing it to .txt before it is sent. The file will need to be renamed back to the original file extension after being received and downloaded. Note that this method may not work in many cases as the scanning engine will be able to detect the file type regardless of its name.
- Try removing the file extension and then putting the file in a password protected ZIP file and sending that. As with the previous suggestion, the file will need to be renamed back to the original file extension after being received and extracted.
- If the offending file is a macro-enabled Office file and you don't need macro functionality, re-save the file without macros and send.
- Share the file via a shared drive such as OneDrive or other cloud service. Note that use of services not approved by UTHSCSA to transfer files with PHI or other sensitive data may violate UTHSCSA policy as well as HIPAA or other laws and may result in disciplinary action. Please contact your IT Partner or Information Security if you are in need of a secure method to transfer sensitive data.
If none of the options above work for you, or if you have any questions, please contact the IMS Service Desk or your IT Partner for futher assistance.