Windows Mail and AntiVirus Software

Soon after I first started to use Windows Mail all my mail folders including all the messages within them disapeared. Looking into this, I soon found out that this was down to a compatibility problem with most antivirus software packages.

There seem to be a number of different issues caused by the compatibility problem:
- Folders and messages disapearing
- Window Mail not connecting to the mail server
- Windows Vista crashes when downloading mail

The disapearing folders problem is apparently caused by the antivirus software interfering with the 'sensitive' file storage of Windows Mail.

The only solution I have found so far is to turn of mail scanning in the Anti Virus software, which according to most internet posts I have found on this issue does not cause a security risk??? It is argued that the anti virus software will still kick in if the user tries to open an infected email and will deal with it then. This is probably true, but to me does not make sense - if the virus is dedected in a downloaded message then the AntiVirus Software has to interfere with Windows Mail's file storage, while scanning incoming emails is mostly done as the email is being downloaded, before it is saved to disk.

Howether, even Microsoft acknowledges that turning of email scanning poses a security risk (in their article dealing with Windows Vista crashing during a mail download):

Quote:

support.microsoft.com
Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make the computer or the network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you decide to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

To work around the issue, disable the e-mail scanning software. For more information about how to do this, see the product documentation, or contact the software provider.

well, I'll keep digging when I have a few free minutes - if I find an anwser I'll post it here - if you do please do likewise.

Recommended Reading:
- The Other E-Mail Threat: File Corruption in Outlook Express
- Why You Don't Need Your Anti-Virus Program to Scan Your E-Mail



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2008 12:32PM by m8ty.