Best practice for preventing virus infection is to never open an attachment from someone you don't know. It's a good idea to scan attachments even from known senders, especially if it's not a file you asked to receive or the cover note is suspicious.
These tools are specifically designed to examine incoming e-mail for viruses.
The Attachment Security update prevents Outlook users from launching files directly from e-mail messages. Outlook 98 and 2000 users should make sure that they have the latest updates affecting HTML mail.
Additional tools can be found on the following pages:
Anti-virus Tools for Attachment Security – tools specific to attachments, including easy access to the blocked attachment settings.
Anti-virus Tools for Exchange server – tools for use at the server level, for Exchange and other email servers.
For information on specific viruses, see Viruses Affecting Microsoft Outlook.
Tools in the Spotlight
Email Sentinel Pro is an prevention email anti-virus that blocks viruses from invading your computer by email. Version 2.7 | |
Scans system files and Outlook e-mail messages and attachments for viruses. | |
It is an easy-to-use Microsoft Outlook add-on designed to provide an advanced intelligent protection against junk-mails, viruses, unsolicited emails. The program uses Bayesian filtering technology that identifies about 99% of incoming junk messages. QMailFilter seamlessly integrates into the MS Outlook, scanning all incoming emails. Emails identified as junk are moved to the Junk Email folder. |
Tools
Anti-virus tool protects Outlook messages and the file system. Receives virus signature updates automatically. | |
Scans system files and Outlook e-mail messages and attachments for viruses. Can also append a signature to mark that an outgoing message has been scanned for viruses and found clean. Free edition available. | |
Anti-spam and Anti-virus protection for individuals and small businesses. | |
Cloudmark SafetyBar stops spam, fraud, phishing attacks and all email threats automatically. The included anti-fraud toolbar is a browser toolbar that provides you with a rating so you know if the page is "Good" or "Unsafe" based on feedback from the Cloudmark Community and evaluated by the Cloudmark Service. Free trial available. (Formerly SpamNet) | |
Free software to detect and remove known viruses sent via e-mail messages. The virus list is automatically updated. | |
Includes scanning of e-mail messages. | |
Anti-virus scanning of e-mail messages included. | |
Detects viruses in OLE embedded documents and compressed files, as well as normal attachments. Available in English and several other languages. | |
Monitors incoming messages for known and likely email worms and suspected spam. Outlook 2000 and 2002 only. On Outlook 2002, it unblocks certain types of files that Microsoft normally considers dangerous so that it can perform its analysis. |
More Information
- Content Control Tools
- Protecting Microsoft Outlook against Viruses — comprehensive list of patches and settings
- XADM The Melissa Virus Incident White Paper Is Available
- GFI Email Security Testing Zone — free vulnerability tests
- Protect Against E-mail-based Viruses (.NET Magazine)
- XADM Calendar Items Disappear from User’s Folders – Do not use a file-level anti-virus program scan the Exchange 2000 M: drive.
Microsoft Anti-virus API:
- Microsoft Introduces New Antispam, Antivirus Features In Exchange Server 2003
- XGEN Microsoft’s Position on Antivirus Solutions for Exchange 2000
- XADM Autoforward Rules May Be Disabled When Using Antivirus API
- XADM Event Logging in Exchange 2000 Server SP1 for Virus Scanning API 2.0
- XADM MAPI Tasks Do Not Work with Virus API Anti-Virus Software Running on the Exchange Server Computer
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Last reviewed on Dec 8, 2011
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