Inbound protection

Inbound protection settings let you specify which instant messaging services are allowed to transmit active links and formatting tags, such as JavaScript, in incoming messages. Active links and formatting tags can contain viruses that can attack your computer when you click on a link in a message.

The Inbound "Tags" setting removes extra formatting that could contain scripts and other potentially harmful code. The Tags setting also removes innocuous formatting, such as bold, underline, italic, etc.

The "Active" setting blocks links that, if clicked, could execute code or download dangerous files onto your computer.

When you send an active link to a contact, it appears as shown in Figure 11-3.

Figure 11-3: Sending an executable URL to a contact

When an active link is filtered from a message, the receiver is notified as shown in Figure 11-4 shows.

Figure 11-4: Potentially harmful link removed

To customize inbound protection settings:

Select Security|Settings.


Locate the instant messaging service you want to customize, then click in the Inbound column.


Click below Tags or Active, then choose Allow or Block.