Stop students downloading SWF files

[SW-ICT]

Morning All,

This maybe a silly question from me.

Is there a way of stopping students downloading certain file types?

 

The kids are sending themselves emails with SWF files then playing them via internet explorer.

 

SW

[Antai]

We have blocked flash completely since it has been retired, makes life a lot easier. You will need some kind of application level filter block.

[SW-ICT]

We have blocked flash completely since it has been retired, makes life a lot easier. You will need some kind of application level filter block.

Boss won't let me Flash is still needed for some very old programs

[paulkerton]

Boss won't let me Flash is still needed for some very old programs

If your boss is an IT expert, then he should know better.

If your boss isn't an IT expert, then you should explain to him the security issues and that these very old programs need to be replaced.

 

Microsoft and Adobe will both tell you to remove it, and as of July Microsoft will be doing so forceably anyway.

 

https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2020/09/04/update-adobe-flash-end-support/

Edited May 28, 2021 by paulkerton

[jthompson]

Depending on the email system you're using, might there be some way to restrict certain attachment filetypes? I can't imagine that there'll be a legit need to attach SWF files, so ought to still play nicely with your boss's policy.

[Grey-gear]

To stop them playing the from their emails you could get your exchange to quarantine any email message that has a .SWF file attached

 

Edit: this will stop any new email with the attachments at least, older emails you would have to clear out by hand or is if the exchange has any house keeping option

Edited May 28, 2021 by Grey-gear

[Jaan]

add .swf as a disallowed extension on File server resource manager. save this against the user areas.

 

we do this for other extension types also. Prevents them from being able to save the disallowed extension type

[6Foot2]

add .swf as a disallowed extension on File server resource manager. save this against the user areas.

 

we do this for other extension types also. Prevents them from being able to save the disallowed extension type

 

Same. I also configured E-Mail alerts, using FSRM, to tell me when a disallowed download was attempted, who it was (which user), attempted save location, the time, and which workstation.

 

[Grey-gear]

IF you have lesson monitoring software like Netsupport or Impero you could block .SWF files for students and tell teachers if they need to uses .SWF files for lessons it can be unblocked

[SW-ICT]

Thanks guys, Few options to work with. Pushes me in the right direction.

 

Much love edugeekers! x

[dubsdj]

File server resource manager should help with this.

 

I don't know of a setting in office365 where you can specify file extensions in emails.. I looked into this before.. I wish there was one so if anyone knows of one please let me know.

[3s-gtech]

File server resource manager should help with this.

 

I don't know of a setting in office365 where you can specify file extensions in emails.. I looked into this before.. I wish there was one so if anyone knows of one please let me know.

 

Mail Flow rules, you can block or manage delivery by attachment extension.

[dubsdj]

Cheers, I'll take a look.