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GMail Adds Virus Protection

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the google-farts-and-people-smell dept.

AxsDeny writes "Google has rolled out virus protection for it's web based email service. Apparently they are scanning incoming and outgoing messages for infected messages. Read more on their "what's new" page."

7 of 355 comments (clear)

  1. Re:"it's"? by sd_diamond · · Score: 0, Troll

    Oh come on... Why keep up the pretence of being 'editors' if you don't even fix stupid mistakes like it's versus its?

    Uh...

    Never mind.

  2. digg, anyone? by uacheesehead · · Score: 0, Troll

    Is it me, or is digg kicking /.'s ass? I just started frequenting digg, and am noticing that they beat /. to the punch on so many stories..

  3. Certain files are outright blocked by MicroPat · · Score: 0, Troll

    What's the point if they're outright blocking file extensions like *.mdb (MS Access)? I teach a Technology class and most of my students use Gmail. Basically, I've had to teach them to trick Gmail by changing the file extensions just to turn in a single homework assignment! What's the point of outbound virus protection if Gmail isn't even giving Access databases a chance?

  4. Re:Grammar by coronaride · · Score: 1, Troll

    You've never seen the ending? Oh! It makes the whole thing worth while...you just have to wait for it!

    --
    Those who can, do. Those who can't, go into business for themselves.
  5. Re:but what powers it? by Zeinfeld · · Score: 1, Troll
    A ZIP or RAR archive, with a password (which you can specify in the email body) does the job just fine. Only don't make the archive self-extractable :-)

    Actually no, the ZIP archive encryption format does not encrypt the manifest.

    If you are a company distributing software updates by email you should learn about a neat new technology called the World Wide Web that does it very nicely. There is also a somewhat older technology called FTP that is designed for the same purpose.

    SMTP was never intended as a mechanism for software distribution.

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  6. Re:but what powers it? by Zeinfeld · · Score: 1, Troll
    You forgot: 1. Requisition web server machine from IT

    OK so you are saying that because your IT support have their keyboard wedged up their ass everyone else should configure their email systems to accept email with possible viruses.

    Come to that, if you can't manage a web server what is the chance that you scan your distributions for viruses? What if your environment is compromised.

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  7. Re:but what powers it? by Zeinfeld · · Score: 0, Troll
    pgp will solve your problem.

    And comes with a highly effective bozo filter since the naive users who run code in email attachments are not the typical PGP user.

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