all your word belong to us

September 6, 2007 4:27 AM

macfilter/wordfilter: word attachments have suddenly started downloading as something called "securedownload."

the files automatically open as word files, but don't save as word files (i have to do a "save as"). also the filename is lost. in other words, if i download "attachment.doc", it shows up on my desktop as "securedownload".

why is this happening, and how can i fix it? it's happened from a couple of different sources. i haven't done any updates recently or noticed anything mysterious. i have a mac ibook g4, less than a year old.

suggestions?

posted by thinkingwoman to Technology (7 answers total)

What are you downloading from and what are you downloading with?
posted by edd at 4:46 AM on September 6, 2007

Do you use a Yahoo email account? There are numerous reports of the problem being with Yahoo. Google "securedownload" for much more on the subject.
posted by Mo Nickels at 5:40 AM on September 6, 2007

I'm having the same issue, also have a mac. I was wondering about that. I don't have any answers for you, but empathy, because it was confusing when it happened.
posted by healthyliving at 6:48 AM on September 6, 2007

Which browser are you using? Are you using mail.yahoo.com for mail?
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:49 AM on September 6, 2007

Im with Nickels. Sounds like yahoo did some backend change and screwed something up (MIME type?). Its not just you.
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:53 AM on September 6, 2007

Response by poster: i use firefox and yes, it's a problem with my yahoo mail.

is it fixable?
posted by thinkingwoman at 10:24 AM on September 6, 2007

Response by poster: actually, this was with safari, not firefox. sorry, sometimes i switch back and forth because some sites don't play well with all browsers.
posted by thinkingwoman at 10:27 AM on September 6, 2007