How Does Filemail Handle Malicious Files in ZIP Archives and Individual File Uploads?
When dealing with file transfers, users may encounter issues where files or archives are flagged as malicious. Filemail has specific processes for managing such scenarios, ensuring user data security while minimizing unnecessary data loss. Below, we explore how Filemail handles malicious files in ZIP archives compared to individual file uploads and offer best practices to optimize your file transfers.
Filemail's Approach to Malicious Files in Compressed Archives
If a malicious file is detected within a compressed archive, such as a ZIP or a RAR file, Filemail takes the following action:
Entire Archive Deletion: When malware is found inside a compressed file, Filemail deletes the entire archive. This approach ensures the potential spread of harmful content is entirely contained. However, it results in the removal of both the infected file and all other files in the archive, even if they are not malicious.
Handling Individual File Uploads
Filemail offers a different approach when files are uploaded individually instead of being included in a compressed archive:
Selective Deletion of Malicious Files: By transferring individual files, Filemail can isolate and delete only the specific files identified as malicious. This means all other non-infected files remain accessible and unaffected.
Preservation of File Attributes: When individual files are uploaded, their original file attributes, such as creation and modification dates, are preserved. This helps maintain file organization and data integrity.
Best Practices to Minimize Data Loss
To ensure that your data remains intact while maximizing security, consider the following practices:
Upload Files Individually: Whenever possible, transfer files individually rather than as part of a ZIP or RAR archive. This approach ensures that only infected files are deleted, preserving the rest of your files and their attributes.
Scan Files Locally: Use local antivirus software to scan files before uploading them to Filemail. This proactive step can help identify and remove malicious files beforehand, reducing the risk of deletion during the transfer process.
Regularly Back Up Data: Always maintain backups of your important files in a secure location. This ensures you can restore your data in case of unforeseen issues during transfer.
Summary
Filemail provides robust methods for managing flagged malicious files, with approaches tailored to both ZIP archives and individual file uploads. While compressed archives are fully deleted if malware is detected, uploading files individually allows selective deletion of infected files and preserves file attributes. Following best practices, like uploading files individually and scanning them locally, can further protect your data during transfers.