winmail.dat (4KB) Is this a virus I am sending out?

hrafndot

I had a complaint from a friend I had sent an email to. She said I had sent an attachment which was a [URL="javascript:void(0);"]winmail.dat (4KB)[/URL] file. I had not been aware I was infected as I have Windows Defender permanently scanning the pc.

I tried sending a plain test message from Outlook to myself at Yahoo.com and had the same experience. Should I start worrying?

espresso

hrafndot wrote: »

I had a complaint from a friend I had sent an email to. She said I had sent an attachment which was a winmail.dat (4KB) file. I had not been aware I was infected as I have Windows Defender permanently scanning the pc.

I tried sending a plain test message from Outlook to myself at Yahoo.com and had the same experience. Should I start worrying?

Yes you should start worrying if you are relying on Windows Defender for anti-virus protections as it for protection against spyware.

What anti-virus program are you using?

hrafndot

Symantec Amtivirus corporate edition. thanks for your prompt response

superscaper

You're not necessarily infected. This can happen if you're using Outlook and the person receiving isn't (it's formatting instructions). If you sent it to another PC with Outlook you wouldn't get the attachment and the formatting will be the same as when you wrote the email.
http://www.pchell.com/support/winmaildat.shtml

malamute

Its not a virus quite simply to prevent it send all email only in text format.
Use google and winmail.dat as your search and all will be revealed.

hrafndot

thanks you all so much I have been so worried and it doesn't help that friend is a mac user and gets all itsy about windows. I will do my reading about how this works and thanks again.

superscaper

hrafndot wrote: »

thanks you all so much I have been so worried and it doesn't help that friend is a mac user and gets all itsy about windows.

I don't know why. Windows viruses can't suddenly work on Macs.

hrafndot

No you're right, I think it was me being itsy!!!! settled down now, thanks

superscaper

hrafndot wrote: »

No you're right, I think it was me being itsy!!!! settled down now, thanks

Calm down dear it's only a commercial. I think we're all paranoid about windows viruses to a certain extent. Espresso wasn't the only one who instantly thought "virus". I thought it was until I looked up that specific attachment. Pity we sometimes think the worst and work our way up rather than the other way around. Cynical bunch aren't we. :rolleyes: Although no harm in really making sure our PCs are clean.

hrafndot

gave me the shake up I need every now and then!!!

[Deleted User]

Espresso and others has unfortunately just presumed it is a virus. It is not it is common feature (issue) between mail clients/web and software

Visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278061 for more information and look at the bottom of that page for more links