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ZIM Security Information | Insecure E-Mail attachments

As of March 4, 2025, e-mail attachments in insecure file formats (e.g. Microsoft Office '97 *.doc, *.xls) will no longer be delivered as attachments by the central e-mail servers of the University of Potsdam. The reason for this is that these outdated file formats are used to spread malware due to security vulnerabilities.


 

+++ What does this mean for you? +++

1. incoming e-mails from external senders (e.g. maximiliane.musterfrauirgendwonet) containing attachments in outdated file formats are automatically processed. Instead of the original file, a PDF document (“safe_print”) is provided for you to preview, which includes a maximum of the first 10 pages of the document.

2. E-mails sent from within the University of Potsdam (e.g. max.mustermannuni-potsdamde) that contain attachments in outdated file formats will be rejected and not forwarded to the addressees for security reasons. In this case, you will receive a notification from our central e-mail servers.


+++ What can you do? +++

Ad 1. If you consider the preview generated for externally received e-mails to be trustworthy, please contact the sender to receive the document in a secure and up-to-date file format (e.g. *.docx, *.xlsx).

Ad 2. In your own interest, please make sure that you no longer use or send outdated file formats. Outdated formats can often be easily saved as current file formats. Instructions can be found on the intranet.

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