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Opening e-mail

14 years ago

I know one shouldn't open attachments or click on a link in suspicious email. What about even opening the email? Is that safe?

RB

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Comments (10)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
Personally I do not because many of them have in them detectors which phone back home to let them know if the email has been opened then they know it is a good address and know to keep on sending to it.
zep516
14 years ago
Opening an e-mail should be safe I would think. The reason an attachment is risky is because it is a file and could be set to execute a set of instructions and or Malware.

Opening an E- Mail does not execute a file... or start a file running or installing on the computer..
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owbist
14 years ago
No.

Why would you consider opening an email from an unknown source? If however you were unsure about who the sender might be then do this, you are not opening it but using the back door as it were.

Right click on the header
click Properties at the bottom
click the Details tab at the top
click Message source and expand to full screen.

Now you can view the content after scrolling past all the gibberish which is the routing details. If you find rows and rows of gibberish further down that is likely a photo or picture
DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
Absolutely do not open any e-mail from an unknown source.

I would even like to take it a step farther and suggest never open a forward even if you "know" the sender. Forwards have always been a classic way of sharing viruses be they generated from a user's compromised Addressbook or generated in the wild.

If there is a need to accept forwards from certain individuals ask them to delete the fwd from the subject line before doing so. By doing this it will show you that the e-mail is intended and valid.

If you are using OE or Windows Mail turn off the preview pane. This suggestion has been recommended for years now as critters began being delivered in the code of the e-mail and jpg pictures long ago.

DA
Bob_B
Original Author
14 years ago
How do you turn off the preview pane?

Also, when I click on properties, details, I note that the details window has a button in the lower right that says "Message Source". When I click on it I can read the whole message. Is this the same as opening your e-mail, as far as compromising security is concerned?

RB
DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
Activate the application>View>Layout>uncheck the "Show Preview Pane">Apply>OK.

I have seen mixed opinions as to whether the Message Source button is safe or not. I lean towards not as it requires coding to display the data in the window. Whenever there is coding there is the chance of a bug.

DA
maime
14 years ago
Can't you save the attachment to your desktop and scan it with your virus software?
owbist
14 years ago
Can't you save the attachment to your desktop and scan it with your virus software?

Yes you can. If you know the sender perhaps that is not necessary but do what ever you feel comfortable with. I have never felt the need in all the years I have been online.
DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
Speaking of e-mails from unknown sources, yes you could but what if the virus is in the e-mail and not the attachment; or both?

It also could be coming from a known source that is not aware their addressbook has been compromised.

DA
maime
14 years ago
The only attachment I get anymore are pictures from my travel mates, we always share photos. I still scan them because some people don't protect their computer or don't know how. I don't receive much email at all after I stopped the forwards.

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