Home
Internet
Internet News
Gmail to Start Blocking JavaScript Attachments from February 13, Citing Security Reasons

Gmail to Start Blocking JavaScript Attachments from February 13, Citing Security Reasons

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 27 January 2017 12:09 IST

Highlights

Gmail will block .js attachments from February 13
Google says decision taken to reduce malicious attacks
One can use Google Drive and other services to share .js attachments

Google has announced that it will start blocking JavaScript attachments in Gmail soon, in an attempt to reduce malicious attacks. In a blog post, the company announced that the restriction on .js file attachments will start on February 13.

Notably, .js files are not the only ones that have been blocked, as Gmail already bans use of certain file attachments like .exe, .msc, and .bat. The company says it is restricting certain file attachments for security reasons. If you try to send .js file attachments (even in compressed form) from February 13, Gmail will block the attachment and will show an in-product warning explaining the reason why.

The warning message will read, "There are a number of reasons why you may see the 'This message was blocked because its content presents a potential security issue' error in Gmail. Gmail blocks messages that may spread viruses like messages that include executables files or certain links."

Google has however recommended workarounds to share .js attachment files and suggests users to do it via use of Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, or other storage solutions to share or send files.

Google lists some of the reasons why it blocks the use of certain attachments including their compressed form (like .gz or .bz2 files) or when found within archives (like .zip or .tgz files) as they may be documents with malicious macros. Google also blocks archives whose listed file content is password protected or whose content includes a password protected archive.

One of the possible reasons for Google to block .js attachment files may be due to increasing popularity of JavaScripts as form of malware. Once malicious .js file downloaded can help attackers steal data from the system.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Apps, Gmail, Internet, Google, JavaScript

Ketan Pratap

Email Ketan

Ketan Pratap is the editor at Gadgets 360 - with over 12 years of experience covering the technology domain. With a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, he's done extensive work across news, features, reviews, and opinion pieces. But what's truly inspiring about Ketan is how he spends his free time. He's often found gazing at snow-capped mountains from over 20,000 feet while sitting on the hood of his car, taking in the breathtaking beauty of nature. His passion for the great ...More