Q. How can I work around this filter if I have a legitimate need to send or receive one of these attachment types?

A. Change the file name extension to a “dummy”, non-existent type. You do not want to leave any of the screened attachment types in the name anywhere, or the message will still not get through. To simplify this for repeated occurrences, ITS recommends that you choose one name and stick with it, such as “.zpp” instead of “.zip”. In the body of the email, you will also need to inform the recipient of what you have done. Warning: Bypassing this security feature carries inherent additional risk and you should be even more careful than usual to verify the legitimacy and virus-free condition of any attachments.

For incoming files, the first time you double-click on the attachment to open it, you will be given a choice of choosing which program to open it with. In our example, if you choose WinZip or whatever program you use for .zip files, it will open just fine. The default for that name will then be set so that in the future Windows will always use WinZip on that file extension name, so this will be a one-time workaround. It prevents you from having to rename the file each time on both ends.

To change a file extension if you are running Windows

In Windows Explorer you must first set folder options by going to

1. Tools, then
2. Folder Options, selecting the View tab.
3. Insure that the choice “Hide extensions for known file types” is NOT selected. (The default condition is for this to be selected.)

You will then be able to right-click on any file within an Explorer or My Documents window, on a file icon on the desktop, etc., choose “Rename”, and change both the file name and extension.

To change a file extension if you are using a Macintosh computer running OS9/OSX

1. Open finder and locate the file.
2. Highlight the file and type in the new extension type.
3. On OSX, A prompt will appear asking if you are sure you want to change the extension, choose to use the new extension.