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Do to the increasing saturation of viruses through e-mail, Computer Services has implemented GEMS filtering services.

How Does the GEMS Filter Work?

The GEMS filter looks for patterns that match the virus description as closely as possible. This includes looking for virus files, attachment names, and message or subject content if the virus is so new that a recognized file is not available. To date, hundreds of instances of viruses have been detected and filtered out prior to delivery of the e-mail message.

Benefits of the GEMS filter:

Without virus protection such as filters or anti-virus software, all Windows based systems that use email are vulnerable to these new viruses.

Quick response to threats of new viruses. Once a new virus is identified, all participating systems of the GEMS filtering service are quickly protected.

Enhanced virus protection methods, in particular the blocking of e-mail with attached executable files has been implemented. E-mail containing the following file extensions is blocked:

Virus Infected Messages:

There are no changes to non-infected messages. However, with an infected message containing a contaminated attachment, it is replaced with a virus warning:

A virus/worm was detected and the original attachment has been removed from this message.

.adeMS Access project extension.mde Microsoft Access MDE database
.adpMS Access project .mscMicrosoft Common Console document
.bas BASIC Program File .msiWindows Installer package
.bat Batch file .msp Windows Installer patch
.chmCompiled HTML help file .mst Visual Test source file
.cmdCommand file .pcdPhoto CD Image
.comMS-DOS program.pifShortcut to MS-DOS program
.cplApplet: Control Panel .reg Registration entries
.crt Security certificate .scrScreensaver
.exeExecutable program .sctWindows script component
.hlp Help file .shbShell Scrap Object
.htaHTML Application .shsShell Scrap Object
.infWindows setup file.swf Shockwave files
.insInternet naming service.urlInternet shortcut
.ispInternet communications settings .vbe Visual Basic Script encoded script file
.js Java Script .vbs Visual Basic Script file
.jseJava Encoded Script file .wscWindows Script Component
.lnkLink (shortcut) .wsf Windows Script file
.mdbMicrosoft Access program .wshWindows Script Host Settings file

Last modified: Friday, 7 April 2006, 04:22 PM