MS Outlkook hijacked my attachment

[Bluto]

Microsoft Outlook 2002, configured for a single user in Win 2000 Pro is not permitting an email with an *.exe attachment that I sent to myself.

Does anyone know how to configure it to configure it to permit attachments?

I get so tired of everyone and everything trying to protect us from ourselves.

Thanks!

bluto

 

[Bucksnort]

security tab under options

 

[Bluto]

This computer is not configured via Microsoft Exchange Server, so that "Attachment Security" button is not available.

Ideas?????

 

[prosaic]

Originally posted by: Bluto
Microsoft Outlook 2002, configured for a single user in Win 2000 Pro is not permitting an email with an *.exe attachment that I sent to myself.

Does anyone know how to configure it to configure it to permit attachments?

I get so tired of everyone and everything trying to protect us from ourselves.

I'm not trying to be contrary, but I'd like to offer a gentle reminder that we all need to be protected from ourselves on occasion. In this case you might consider the possibility that this is one of those occasions for you. The only reason I suggest this is that it seems to me that, if you don't know how to get around this feature of Outlook, then maybe you aren't fully aware of the dangers.

By default your e-mail client is set up to prevent the receipt and opening of potentially dangerous files, like those with the .exe extension. All you have to do to get around the problem is to change the extension to something else. Some people just change the extension of the file before attaching it to the e-mail (requiring only that the recipient rename it to the correct extension after saving to disk), others use an archive utility that produces an extension that will be passed by the e-mail client. The fact that you're not aware of these workarounds might mean that you haven't thought this through very carefully. I know that the feature is a little inconvenient, but that's a good thing IMO. Even (or sometimes especially) when receiving an executable attachment from people you know well (including yourself) it is wise to invest a little thought in the process of transmitting and receiving executables. This is, after all, a prime means for the propagation of malware, and an executable that comes as an attachment to e-mail from a friend may have been placed there by such malware.

Obviously, since you are talking about a situation in which you are sending yourself the attachment you should be able to solve the problem yourself by sending the attachment again with a different extension. I include the following information for situations in which someone else is sending you a file as an attachment and in which it is difficult to arrange for them to use the workaround method. There is a utility you can install on more recent versions of Outlook (2000 with sp3 and all subsequent versions). It is located here.

Please note that this utility will give you the ability to choose which file extensions your e-mail client will pass, and which it will not. I would not suggest loosening the default settings on anything other than a case-by-case basis.

BTW, the utility also gives you the ability to specify that all e-mail will be read as plain text, a precaution I recommend. Of course it means that html mail will look like crap -- perhaps to the point of being unreadable. For my own purposes I don't care. I don't need to see dancing angels or waggy-tailed doggies on my e-mail. But...to each his own.



- prosaic

 

[Bluto]

Hello pro...

Thanks for all your suggestions. I certainly don't know as much about computers as a lot of folks do, but I can hold my own most of the time.

I also realize that questions on here sometimes come across as being from someone who just doesn't have a clue, which is why I mentioned that I sent the file to myself (that I knew what I was doing), and also to save myself a lot of writing and qualifying to others that, while I know what I'm doing most of the time, I have enough sense to stop and ask questions before things get out of hand, as they certainly can when dealing with computers!

I'm trying to configure this computer for someone else, not myself, so having email-limitations with *.exe files and the like is not acceptable. There are other means in place by which potentially malicious files are checked on this machine that I chose not to go into because I felt it would make my post too wordy and divert attention away from what I wanted and needed. I've made other posts on here in the past and chose to go into great detail of not just the *problem* for which I wanted answers, but the *situation*. I found that most of the time I received posts whom were more interested in being a critic than just giving an answer if they had one. So I decided to post my questions succinctly and to the point instead. Most of the time that approach works for me. Also, this person, whom I am setting this computer up for, receives email from only a limited source of folks, including myself, and knows very well not to open any email from any person others than those they are familiar with. Like I said a moment ago, there are other proggies on this computer that will take care of that situation should it arise. I just chose not to go into all this painful qualifying detail.

As is often the case working with computers, one comes across a somewhat esoteric tweak that is necessary for an acceptable 'fix'. While I agree with you that sometimes people need saving from themselves, but I often find myself thinking bad things about those folks in most of those cases. One does have to learn and experiment, but if someone is foolish enough to start messing with their only computing source, and they do things without really knowing what they are doing, then I TEND to say a heaping serving of just-desserts is in order. :Q

Your words are spoken of great experience I'm betting, and they should serve to other folks out there who (still) may not be aware of the potential dangers of email!

Thanks again for your words and ideas.

bluto :beer:

 

[Need4Speed]

you need to edit the registry...instructions here: http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/esecup/getexe.htm

 

[Bluto]

Very cool....thanks!

 

[prosaic]

I understand...

and they do things without really knowing what they are doing, then I TEND to say a heaping serving of just-desserts is in order.

...but I'm glad I get protected from myself on occasion. I guess I'm just extra cautious. I prefer having more than one layer of defense against the nasties. Besides, I often committ myself to all sorts of actions without knowing the full ramifications of those actions. I don't do it on purpose. I do it, mostly, when I'm tired and stupid -- as opposed to my normal status of awake and stupid.



- prosaic

 

[Bluto]

Oh my pro....you sound just like me!

You must be a long-lost sibling! Are you wealthy?

 

[prosaic]

Wealthy? Well, I've always said that all I needed was a place to sleep, a few clothes, and a library card to keep me happy. If things keep going the way they've been going the last couple of years I may get my wish at retirement time!

 

[joinT]

there's also a small prog available which basically is just a bunch of checkboxes to allow/disallow various file types through outlook. It was nice because if you just needed to get ONE file you could open it, check the box, get the file, then uncheck the box. You can find it searching google for "outlook attachments"

 

[prosaic]

Hi,

Yes, I think you're talking about Slovak's Attachment Options. I linked to it in my long-winded first post. It works quite well.

- prosaic

 

[joinT]

Originally posted by: prosaic
Hi,

Yes, I think you're talking about Slovak's Attachment Options. I linked to it in my long-winded first post. It works quite well.

- prosaic

Aha, yes that's it.. I usually can't bring myself to read long-winded posts, unless it's a reply to my thread/post.

 

[Bluto]

Ultra cool stuff all...thanks. I'll check that attachment out!

Pro...I could live off that tiny list of 'needs' too, but I'd hafta have me a woman to go along with that!

 

[prosaic]

Uh, yeah, forgot about the woman. I'm glad she doesn't hang out here. She'd probably take this conversation as a sign that she's being taken for granted. WTH, I've been with her for over 30 years. We're like a pair of old shoes, well-matched-and-worn and not of any particular interest unless you happen to see one of them all by itself.

 

[Bluto]

Very good indeed.

Good to have a companion for sure. Even one that is worn and comfy. Philosophical maybe, but for me, each person grows a bit each day, and it tis a noble endeavor to find that new growth in a loved one and appreciate it. I've known some where the 'growth' was goiter, and others where it was a petal.....extremes for sure!

Good day to you.