"windows has blocked access to this file"

[dignick]

Windows is blocking some of the files that I download from other users in MSN messenger. When I try to open them, windows firewall blocks them. It gives the message 'Windows found that this file is potentially harmful. To help protect your computer, windows has blocked access to this file'. And it doesn't just block access to them, it moves/removes them too. So the only way I can get the file is to download it again; but then windows just blocks it again.

So my question is, where is Windows moving these files, and how can I stop it blocking them in future?

Thanks.

 

[bcastner]

Downgrade to Windows Messenger 4.7.2009 from

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/download.asp

or use MSN Messenger. Windows Messenger 4.7.2009 does not support the attachment excution security feature of Windows XP SP2.

 

[moonguppie]

There was an alert not too long ago from ZDTV/Techtv's website about Trojans being sent to a user via MSN Messenger under the disguise of a file being sent from a friend. Maybe Window's security actually worked in this case. Becareful, IM programs seem to be the next avenue for virus writers.

A little knowledge is dangerous.

 

[bcastner]

There have been a flurry of AIM trojans in the last month.

If you are certain of the quality of the source of the file, and the file itself, just have the sender use a different file extension than those blocked.
Rename it after you have downloaded the file.

As I understand it the blocked extension list:
[tt]
.ade Microsoft Access project extension
.adp Microsoft Access project
.asx Windows Media Audio / Video
.bas Microsoft Visual Basic class module
.bat Batch file
.chm Compiled HTML Help file
.cmd Microsoft Windows NT Command script
.com Microsoft MS-DOS program
.cpl Control Panel extension
.crt Security certificate
.exe Program
.hlp Help file
.hta HTML program
.inf Setup Information
.ins Internet Naming Service
.isp Internet Communication settings
.js JScript file
.jse Jscript Encoded Script file
.lnk Shortcut
.mdb Microsoft Access program
.mde Microsoft Access MDE database
.msc Microsoft Common Console document
.msi Microsoft Windows Installer package
.msp Microsoft Windows Installer patch
.mst Microsoft Windows Installer transform; Microsoft Visual Test source file
.pcd Photo CD image; Microsoft Visual compiled script
.pif Shortcut to MS-DOS program
.prf Microsoft Outlook profile settings
.reg Registration entries
.scf Windows Explorer command
.scr Screen saver
.sct Windows Script Component
.shb Shell Scrap object
.shs Shell Scrap object
.url Internet shortcut
.vb Visual Basic
[/tt]

 

[LloydSev]

just use MSN Messenger.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA