Patent ID: 7263561

Claim:
A method carried out by a computer when executing computer-readable program code, the method comprising: receiving an electronic file intended for delivery from a sender to an intended recipient, the electronic file having a first file format with a first file extension; determining whether the electronic file represents at least a potential security risk to a computer system; when it is determined that the electronic file represents at least the potential security risk, then forwarding to the intended recipient a notification indicating that the electronic file represents at least the potential security risk; receiving from the intended recipient a request to view the contents of the electronic file; converting the electronic file from the first file format with the first file extension to a second file format with a second file extension that is different from the first file format with the first file extension and that prevents a computer virus in the electronic file from executing when the converted electronic file is opened by the intended recipient, said converting of the electronic file being in response to a determination that the electronic file represents at least the potential security risk to the computer system; and making the converted electronic file available for viewing by the intended recipient.