New things all around

[susan1948]

Well between the new computer and trying to figure out this forum, I'm going bananas, LOL!
I have just figured out how to ask a question/post, as you can see, I just hope I find the answer to my post if one is posted.
I do not have MS Word, but do have Open Office. That will open .doc and .ppt documents that are already on my computer, but Windows Live Mail says such documents are "dangerous" and I can not access them when they are sent to me as attachments. I have gone to a .doc already on my computer and told the computer to use Open Office to open any of these documents, but I still can't open attached ones. I sent a document from my husbands computer to myself and I still can't do anything with them when they arrive as an email. When I right click the "dangerous" attachment all of the options are grayed out.
Since I just uploaded the Open Office on my new computer I would think I have the latest version and so a version issue should not be the problem since usually new versions will open older version documents.
I really need to be able to do this because I am getting documents from people relative to a show I am the chairperson for.
Thanks,
Susan

 

[MacGyvr]

Save the file attachment and then open it from the location where you saved it. Don't try to open it from inside the mail program.

 

[susan1948]

Can't save it, I tried that. There is a message that says the file has been deactivated.
Susan

 

[davehc]

It has nothing to do with OO. It is a safety feature Windows Live Mail, as with Ourtlook express before it.
Open the options, safety options - security.
There are several choices there, which you can read,regarding attachments. The one you are looking for is "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened ...etc" and, possibly, if it is blocked (shouldn't be by default!) "Block images and external..etc"

 

[susan1948]

I got two attachments with the email in question. One was a PDF and it came through just fine! I'll check the security things, but I don't want to open the flood gates for junk either. It's funny to me that a MS product is calling another MS product dangerous!
Thanks,
Susan

 

[susan1948]

Well I changed the security options and can now see the attachments that I could not before. I sort of thought I would not be able to see them unless they came in a new email. I guess I just have to watch what I open, although I usually don't open attachments that I'm not sure of. This attachment I knew was fine because I sent it to the person and shewas just sending it back to me.
Thanks, and wish me luck
Susan

 

[James Colbert]

The attachment you sent and received back could still be infected, as it may have been infected by her machine. Just be sure that your system is protected.

A good start:

Free
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Also free, but must be run manually (the paid version will monitor):

Malwarebytes

And foremost, continue safe practices of not opening attachments you are unsure of, not downloading and installing software you are unsure of, and sites you feel are suspect.

James

 

[susan1948]

I was once told that if I had any doubt I should save the attachment & have my virus scanner scan the attachment before opeing it. I guess I really didn't think about the attachment getting a virus from her computer after I sent it to her, silly me. I do nave nod32 on my computer, but .... anything can happen, I still worry, but maybe not enough. I do have the malwarebytes also, I just have to remember to run it more often. I didn't realize that if I paid for it it would scann automaticly, duh!
Thanks for the help.
Susan

 

[James Colbert]

Generally, your AV and MW programs will place an item in your right click context menu. You can save the attachment to the desktop without opening it, right click on it and choose to scan. Safe surfing.

James

 

[susan1948]

Thanks, I'll try to remember that
Susan