scanning messages

T

Tina

I have been reading comments stating that before you open an attachment, you
should be saving/scanning it first in order to prevent a virus from entering
your computer.
We have Norton Internet Security (2004) installed in our computer, and it
had been my understanding that the software itself would scan and remove an
email/attachment prior to me even viewing/opening it.
Therefore, can someone clarify this issue for me?
Thanks in advance,
Tina
 
S

Sharon F

I have been reading comments stating that before you open an attachment, you
should be saving/scanning it first in order to prevent a virus from entering
your computer.
We have Norton Internet Security (2004) installed in our computer, and it
had been my understanding that the software itself would scan and remove an
email/attachment prior to me even viewing/opening it.
Therefore, can someone clarify this issue for me?
Thanks in advance,
Tina

The object is to find and get rid of these unwanted things *before* they
infect the system.

OE does not store attached files separately - they are blended into the
*.dbx file right along with messages. Even though many antivirus programs
include "email protection", they get their best shot at scanning
attachments properly when these are saved separately in their native form
and outside of the *.dbx catch-all file.

Manually scanning the file after saving it separately is an additional step
of protection (consider maintaining an Attachment or Download folder to
simplify management). Think of this extra step as a "belt and suspenders"
approach - if auto-protection fails for any reason, it doesn't matter as
the file has been checked for viruses with a manual scan *and* before it is
double clicked and a virus is released on the system.
 

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