blocking attachments with Exchange 5.5 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Redlemon · 03-03-2004, 11:13 AM

I'm at a small consulting firm, and I'm the network guy because I understand computers best, not because I have any training whatsoever.

We have a server runing NT 4.0 and Exchange 5.5. It is time for me to block all the standard bad attachments on our email server at work. I've determined that Exchange can't do this on its own.

Is there a free and easy way to block, for example, all *.pif files?

JohnnyRoyale · 03-04-2004, 04:28 AM

This is an off-the-top of my head idea, so I don't know if it would work, but there's a way to limit the size of attachments in Exchange 5.5, via the SMTP connector properties. Maybe, you could set that to the smallest possible size, and that would block attachements simply because their too big.

Again, that's off the top of my head, so I'm not sure it would work, but it might be worth a try.

sipsake · 03-04-2004, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnnyRoyale
Maybe, you could set that to the smallest possible size, and that would block attachements simply because their too big.

Yeah, this was my first thought as well. But it seems redlemon wants to filter out certain types of attachments, not filter out all attachments.

Redlemon · 03-04-2004, 06:38 AM

We frequently receive large ZIP files that we want, so that wouldn't work. I might have to break down and buy an add-on, but I wanted to see what else was available first.

sipsake · 03-04-2004, 06:41 AM

Do you have an anti-virus program that scans your e-mails through your exchange server?

Our virus software can be configured to automatically delete specified attachments. In other words, I can set it to automatically delete .exe,.pif,.bat attachments. It will allow other attachments to be delivered after they've been scanned.

Redlemon · 03-04-2004, 06:50 AM

Nope, I've been relying on anti-virus on each desktop. That would also change if I purchase software, but I'm still trying to find the cheap way out.

Dil · 03-04-2004, 06:57 AM

hehe, AV is your friend

JohnnyRoyale · 03-04-2004, 07:46 AM

You mentioned you have sonicwall. I've seen sonicwalls with e-mail filtering options in them, have you looked in the config on that box?

EDIT - The sonicwall I saw was somewhat older, and had anti-virus subscription as well, so that might be an option, but it'd probably cost to get it.

Redlemon · 03-04-2004, 07:53 AM

Um, I've never even heard of sonicwall. Must have been someone else.

There's a freeware solution to almost everything else, but it is looking like this is the exception.

sipsake · 03-04-2004, 08:04 AM

Have you thought about blocking attachments on the e-mail client side?

Outlook XP automatically blocks attachments with certain extensions (.exe,.bat, etc)

Depending on your e-mail client you may be able to set the config to automatically block access to specified extensions.

Redlemon · 03-04-2004, 08:19 AM

Interesting thought; I'm back on Outlook 98, I'll go see if that is an option that I can turn on.

sipsake · 03-04-2004, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redlemon
I'm back on Outlook 98, I'll go see if that is an option that I can turn on.

See if this might work for you

http://www.softwarepatch.com/internet/outlook98.html

I haven't used it so I can't vouch for how well it works but it looks like it might do what you need.

Redlemon · 03-04-2004, 08:53 AM

That very well might do it, I'll need to read up on if there are any issues with that patch. Thanks!

JohnnyRoyale · 03-04-2004, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redlemon
Um, I've never even heard of sonicwall. Must have been someone else.

There's a freeware solution to almost everything else, but it is looking like this is the exception.

My bad! confused you with another post...sorry!

03-03-2004, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	blocking attachments with Exchange 5.5 I'm at a small consulting firm, and I'm the network guy because I understand computers best, not because I have any training whatsoever. We have a server runing NT 4.0 and Exchange 5.5. It is time for me to block all the standard bad attachments on our email server at work. I've determined that Exchange can't do this on its own. Is there a free and easy way to block, for example, all *.pif files?

03-04-2004, 04:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyRoyale Psycho Location: Boston, MAss., USA	This is an off-the-top of my head idea, so I don't know if it would work, but there's a way to limit the size of attachments in Exchange 5.5, via the SMTP connector properties. Maybe, you could set that to the smallest possible size, and that would block attachements simply because their too big. Again, that's off the top of my head, so I'm not sure it would work, but it might be worth a try. __________________ I'm gonna be rich and famous, as soon I invent a device that lets you stab people in the face over the internet.

03-04-2004, 06:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	We frequently receive large ZIP files that we want, so that wouldn't work. I might have to break down and buy an add-on, but I wanted to see what else was available first. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-04-2004, 06:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
sipsake Psycho Location: Memphis	Do you have an anti-virus program that scans your e-mails through your exchange server? Our virus software can be configured to automatically delete specified attachments. In other words, I can set it to automatically delete .exe,.pif,.bat attachments. It will allow other attachments to be delivered after they've been scanned. __________________ When life hands you a lemon, say "Oh yeah, I like lemons. What else you got?" Henry Rollins

03-04-2004, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Nope, I've been relying on anti-virus on each desktop. That would also change if I purchase software, but I'm still trying to find the cheap way out. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-04-2004, 06:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dil Tilted Location: Sydney <-> Australia	hehe, AV is your friend

03-04-2004, 07:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyRoyale Psycho Location: Boston, MAss., USA	You mentioned you have sonicwall. I've seen sonicwalls with e-mail filtering options in them, have you looked in the config on that box? EDIT - The sonicwall I saw was somewhat older, and had anti-virus subscription as well, so that might be an option, but it'd probably cost to get it. __________________ I'm gonna be rich and famous, as soon I invent a device that lets you stab people in the face over the internet.

03-04-2004, 07:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Um, I've never even heard of sonicwall. Must have been someone else. There's a freeware solution to almost everything else, but it is looking like this is the exception. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-04-2004, 08:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
sipsake Psycho Location: Memphis	Have you thought about blocking attachments on the e-mail client side? Outlook XP automatically blocks attachments with certain extensions (.exe,.bat, etc) Depending on your e-mail client you may be able to set the config to automatically block access to specified extensions. __________________ When life hands you a lemon, say "Oh yeah, I like lemons. What else you got?" Henry Rollins

03-04-2004, 08:19 AM	#11 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Interesting thought; I'm back on Outlook 98, I'll go see if that is an option that I can turn on. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-04-2004, 08:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	That very well might do it, I'll need to read up on if there are any issues with that patch. Thanks! __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.