If GMail has antivirus scan, why blocking EXE files?

brunces · 02-01-2007, 03:54 PM

Friends,

Please, help me understand this...

If GMail has antivirus scan, why does it block EXE and other sorts of files?

It doesn't make any sense, does it? Unless this antivirus scan is a fraud and doesn't really work.

So... what's the deal?

I've read that blocking executables is intentional to avoid laymen to get messy with malicious attachments. But, here's my point again... If there's an antivirus scan, there's no need to blocking executable files, right? Then, laymen wouldn't have to be worried about it.

Hugs, guys.

Bruce

MrAcid · 02-02-2007, 10:44 AM

A .exe file does not necessarily have to contain a so called "virus" in order to do damage to your computer, so it's just an extra protection to avoid Gmail users from being harmed.

leftybogs · 02-03-2007, 06:23 AM

maybe for to secure more... virus are evolving anti virus are not that perfect, they cannot detect a new virus unless the anti-virus updates.. what i dont like about is the google account redirects to your gmail account and other google services like blogger... juts my own opinion.. maybe in separate account...

Yip · 02-04-2007, 01:03 AM

Blocking exes is like using a sledge hammer to kill a cockroach.

Mind you, cockroaches are very resillient and disgusting so most of the time we don't mind them getting killed just like most of the time we don't mind the exe files being blocked. HOWEVER, this should be an advanced preference and not a default.

I occasionally have to send .exe files for legitimate purposes. Gmail won't even let me send an exe file in a zip file. I have to rename the file to some silly extension for the file to go through.

cwsteam.com · 02-04-2007, 01:14 AM

No antivirus is perfect, so may be google thinks of the user more. In the end, it saves us from any/all kind of viruses. Ask yourself the question below:

1. Anybody ever got a virus via gmail ?
2. Anybody ever got a virus via yahoo ?

02-01-2007, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
brunces Noogle Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If GMail has antivirus scan, why blocking EXE files? Friends, Please, help me understand this... If GMail has antivirus scan, why does it block EXE and other sorts of files? It doesn't make any sense, does it? Unless this antivirus scan is a fraud and doesn't really work. So... what's the deal? I've read that blocking executables is intentional to avoid laymen to get messy with malicious attachments. But, here's my point again... If there's an antivirus scan, there's no need to blocking executable files, right? Then, laymen wouldn't have to be worried about it. Hugs, guys. Bruce

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02-02-2007, 10:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
MrAcid Senior Googler Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands Posts: 113 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A .exe file does not necessarily have to contain a so called "virus" in order to do damage to your computer, so it's just an extra protection to avoid Gmail users from being harmed.

02-03-2007, 06:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
leftybogs Elite Googler Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	maybe for to secure more... virus are evolving anti virus are not that perfect, they cannot detect a new virus unless the anti-virus updates.. what i dont like about is the google account redirects to your gmail account and other google services like blogger... juts my own opinion.. maybe in separate account...

02-04-2007, 01:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yip Noogle Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Blocking exes is like using a sledge hammer to kill a cockroach. Mind you, cockroaches are very resillient and disgusting so most of the time we don't mind them getting killed just like most of the time we don't mind the exe files being blocked. HOWEVER, this should be an advanced preference and not a default. I occasionally have to send .exe files for legitimate purposes. Gmail won't even let me send an exe file in a zip file. I have to rename the file to some silly extension for the file to go through.

02-04-2007, 01:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
cwsteam.com Junior Googler Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chandigarh, India Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No antivirus is perfect, so may be google thinks of the user more. In the end, it saves us from any/all kind of viruses. Ask yourself the question below: 1. Anybody ever got a virus via gmail ? 2. Anybody ever got a virus via yahoo ?

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