What you can't see can hurt you!

We've all seen them, compressed files with the .zip extension. Unfortunately, virus writers, to compress all manner of malicious code in their attempts to avoid detection by antivirus software, also use "zipping". Today, many organizations employ antivirus software at their e-mail gateways in order to "catch" malicious code before it makes it to the end user's inbox. However, e-mail gateway scanners may have a problem when it comes to ZIP files that are password encrypted. Without the password they cannot break the encryption to scan inside. Thus, a virus in a password-encrypted ZIP file might get past the gateway and through to the end users. This is why it is crucial that employees be educated to the dangers of opening unknown .zip attachments. After all, once a worm makes it to the desktop, users are your last defense.