Why does Hotmail think my file has a virus in it?

Question

Over a year ago, I needed to transfer some files to another computer and the easiest way to do so at the time was to email them. They were password protected Corel Wordperfect documents. Stupidly enough I sent them to my Hotmail address and deleted the originals. Well, Hotmail decided there was an "unknown virus" in the attachments and won't let me open them. It has to be because of the attachments because I can open non-protected files. So did the virus scanner get threatened because of the encryption or something? Anyway, I've kept those emails around in the hope they might change their minds about it but it hasn't happened. They're not important files, they'd just be nice to have. Anything I can do?

I might have screwed something up in my rambling... let me clarify. Hotmail isn't letting me download the attachments that I put password protection on. I figured it's the encryption. I've contacted MSN support just now, but I dunno what that will do. I kinda doubt it but I thought that maybe, just maybe there was a way around it. It's just that those attachments are so close yet so far away.

Answer 1

Yes, and furthermore to Dans, if you rename the file extension to something else, such as .tmp, you should be able to bypass Hotmail's virus detection feature.

Answer 2

What did u send?did your fire wall was on?do u send a file setup?if u did all of the above things the hotmail will think u r sending a virus.for safety for other computer or your own computer it will
not allow to open the file.i hope thats your answer

Answer 3

I had that problem a few years ago. I found that zipping my files was a good practice to get into. I think it does feel that some files are a threat if they can be opened by mistake as in a exe file.

Answer 4

Build a time machine. LOL