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Using Email

UTAS Home › Information Technology Services › ICT Security › Security Tips  › Using Email

Email is a primary source of virus infections. Open email attachments only if you know and trust the sender - and are sure you were meant to receive the file.

  • Scan all attachments with an up-to-date antivirus package before opening them.
  • Open attachments and downloaded files from within applications where possible.
  • Be highly suspicious of attachments with multiple extensions (eg. smileyface.jpg.exe would be an executable file - not necessarily a picture of a happy person).
  • Be especially cautious of attachments with the following extensions.
ADE Microsoft Access Project Extension
ADP Microsoft Access Project
BAS Visual Basic® Class Module
BAT Batch File
CHM Compiled HTML Help File
CMD Windows NT® Command Script
COM MS-DOS® Application
CPL Control Panel Extension
CRT Security Certificate
EXE Application
HLP Windows® Help File
HTA HTML Applications
INF Setup Information File
INS Internet Communication Settings
ISP Internet Communication Settings
JS JScript® File
JSE JScript Encoded Script File
LNK Shortcut
MDB Microsoft Access Application
MDE Microsoft Access MDE Database
MSC Microsoft Common Console Document
MSI Windows Installer Package
MSP Windows Installer Patch
MST Visual Test Source File
PCD Photo CD Image
PIF Shortcut to MS-DOS Program
REG Registration Entries
SCR Screen Saver
SCT Windows Script Component
SHS Shell Scrap Object
URL Internet Address (Uniform Resource Locator)
VB VBScript File
VBE VBScript Encoded Script File
VBS VBScript Script File
WSC Windows Script Component
WSF Windows Script File
WSH Windows Scripting Host Settings File