Anti-virus filtering

This web page explains what to do about messages that have been filtered by the University of Cambridge central email scanner. The scanner alters email to remove viruses and other dangerous content.

In particular, the scanner filters out attachments that contain viruses identified by commercial anti-virus software. Where possible, it disinfects the attachment and delivers it to the original recipient of the message, along with a notice similar to this:

This is an automated message from the University of Cambridge's
central email virus filter.

A message you recently received from "spqr9@cam.ac.uk" with the
subject "Re: minutes of the meeting"
contained one or more viruses that could be disinfected. The viruses
have been removed, and the disinfected files are attached to this
message. For more information about the virus filter, see
<http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/email/scanner/disinfected.html>

The message as a whole might or might not be legitimate.

If it does appear to be legitimate, the person that sent you the message probably has a virus infection in their computer. You should warn them about this problem, with reference to this web page and to <http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/virus/>.

If the message is not legitimate, the only thing you can do is delete it. Viruses frequently forge email, so the apparent sender of the message is probably not the one that is infected.

Click here for more information on the email scanner.