E-mails with potentially dangerous files attached have long been blocked when sending to or receiving from external parties (see also Policy changes to incoming mail systems), as these files, such as Office files containing macros, are often used by attackers to infiltrate malware (so-called macro viruses). In order to close this popular gateway for attackers, SCC will increase the security of e-mail communication within the KIT and, for example, check e-mails for such potentially dangerous files and block them if necessary. The mail routing for KIT mailboxes will be adapted for this purpose.
From Tuesday, April 23, 2024, e-mails sent from KIT mailbox to KIT mailbox will also be checked. From this date, emails with potentially dangerous files attached will therefore be rejected and will no longer reach the target addresses.
This applies in particular to e-mails with the following attachments
- RTF files or
- Word/Excel documents with macros (*.docm and *.xlsm)
IMPORTANT: Please note the following information!
If it is necessary to send documents with such potentially dangerous document types internally, use mail encryption (S/MIME) or use the services provided for exchanging documents:
- File exchange and online storage for desktop data (bwSync&Share)
- KIT team pages
- KIT data storage (OU directory)
- MS Teams
- matrix
- etc.
Depending on the confidentiality of the data contained in these documents, use the appropriate file exchange service. Get also user guidance via the various service documetation.
Note
After the implementation of this extension and the associated improvement of IT security at KIT, sending e-mails via the smtp.kit.edu service from outside will again be possible without a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Information about this change can also be found in our operational messages.