Due to increased threats from email, UNC has implemented a new solution from Microsoft called Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Safe Attachments to protect our users from malicious file attachments received by email.
Due to increased threats from email, UNC-Chapel Hill has implemented a new solution from Microsoft called Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Safe Attachments to protect our users from malicious file attachments received by email. In addition to the standard antivirus scanning, Safe Attachments will actively scan through attachments in email messages you receive to detect any malicious code or content.
How does Safe Attachments work?
For email messages with very small attachments, you won’t immediately notice any changes. If the attachment is large and the email is opened immediately, you may see placeholders that will let you know what is going on (see below).
While attachments are being scanned, Microsoft allows a preview of compatible attachment types, such as PDFs and Office documents, so you can begin safely viewing the content while the scan completes. If the attachments are deemed safe then the placeholder is replaced with the original attachments (see below).
What happens if the scan determines the attachment is malicious?
If Microsoft or the University finds an attachment to be malicious, we will block users from accessing the content. Even if the message is delivered to your employee mailbox, it can later be removed and placed in quarantine if the attachment is determined to be harmful.
Is every email scanned?
Only emails from external accounts are scanned. Safe Attachments scanning is not applied to internal email nor email from UNC Health.
Caution!
Remember to only open attachments in messages sent by a reliable and verified source. If the sender’s email address looks suspicious, or the message itself doesn’t look right, either delete the message or contact IT Support. Safe Attachments provides extra protection, but does not guarantee that all files are safe.
We will continue to do everything we can to prevent security intrusions, and we appreciate your caution and awareness in keeping our information and data secure. Our SOM IT Security and Privacy Office is happy to answer questions and we are willing to take part in your group meetings to discuss this and other security awareness topics. For questions or to schedule time with a member of our security team, please reach out to sominfosec@listserv.med.unc.edu.