Blocked access to an attachment

This article describes how to change the type of file extension to allow access to an email attachment that was previously blocked.

Outlook

JMU blocks certain email attachment types, including .zip files, because they may pose a security risk. 

When you attempt to send an email from your JMU account with a blocked attachment type, you will receive a message stating that the email was blocked due to a “high risk attachment type.” This is expected. 

JMU sends alerts back to you for all blocked attachment types sent from your JMU account. Note: a specialized message for .zip files will contain instructions on how to successfully send this file. 

Your JMU account also receives alerts whenever anyone attempts to send you an email with a blocked attachment type, whether sent from another JMU account or from an external account. This alert email will include the originating email address, and it will ask you to contact the original sender to either rename the file extension (.zip files) or arrange an alternate delivery method for the blocked attachment. 

To receive a blocked message from a sender, have the sender rename the file extension from its original extension (e.g. a .zip file extension) to .jmu and resend.
Once the file is received, save the file to the computer and rename it back to its original extension (e.g. from .jmu to .zip).

For additional questions, you can contact the JMU IT Help Desk at helpdesk@jmu.edu or 540-568-3555.