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Gmail AntiVirus Scan
November 30, 2005 10:16 PM

Google seems to be working an anti-virus scanning program that will run behind the scenes for their Gmail email service. According to the FAQs page just like Yahoo and Hotmail, the new virus scan will check all incoming and outgoing messages for viruses. If a message with a virus is received it will be fixed if possible or deleted. If you try to send a message with a virus, Gmail won’t let the user send the message until the attachment has been removed. Gmail has currently been fairly safe due to the fact that they don’t allow attaching the “.exe” file formats in which most viruses travel through. Google already has good spam fighting services, but with this addition Gmail will become safer than ever.Google has not yet announced any information about this yet, but if Google does add a Virus Scan to Gmail it will definatly be a great addition to the service.

From the Gmail Help Center:

How does anti-virus scanning work?
Each time you send and receive attachments, Gmail automatically scans them for viruses.
If a virus is found in an attachment you’ve received, our system will attempt to remove it, or clean the file, so you can still access the information it contains. If the virus can’t be removed from the file, you won’t be able to download it.
If a virus is found in an attachment you’re trying to send, you won’t be able to send the message until you remove the attachment.

Link: Gmail Help Center
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