Stop specific users from receiving Word documents

This example Rule prevents certain users from receiving Word documents. It could easily be adapted to other types of file attachment.

If you want to prevent specific users from receiving emails with a Word document attachment, you'll need to use a Message Rule, along with several sets of Custom Rule Data.

Create a list of users to target

Create a new Custom Rule Data called No Word Document Users. Add the email address for each user you want to target, each on a new line.

Learn more about Custom Rule Data.

Create a RegEx to identify Word documents

Create a new Custom Rule RegEx called Word documents. Use the following as the RegEx Data field:

^.+\.(?:(?:[dD][oO][cC][xX]?))$
Learn more about Custom Rule Data.

Create a Message Rule

Create a new Message Rule called Block Word documents. Configure the Rule as follows:

  • Add a Direction Condition with the value set to Matches: Inbound.
  • Add a Recipient Condition with the value set to Matches: No Word Document Users.
  • Add an Attachment Name Condition with the value set to Matches: Word documents.
  • Add a Notify Sender Action. Enter an appropriate message to be shown to the email's sender.
  • Add a Permanent Drop Error Action. Set the data to 5.0.5 Looks like Spam.

Do not add a Final Action.

Learn more about Message Rules.

Prioritise the new Rule

Move the Rule to a sensible place in your Message Rules list. If your Service Provider has provisioned your account with a set of default Rules, placing this new Rule between the Confirmed Spam and Possible Spam Rules is a good choice.


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