The bottom line for the average email user is this: Plain text emails cannot infect your computer just by looking at them. HTML Mail will not infect your computer just by looking at them if you are running a current version of Outlook or Outlook Express, (or any email reader) and keep any version up to date with the latest patches. |
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Pretty simple, really.
Some other rules for maintaining safe email:
- 1. Keep your versions of Windows, Outlook and Outlook Express up to date with the latest patches.
- 2. Keep your system clean of Viruses and Spyware by running the appropriate Anti-Virus checkers and Spyware checkers on a regular basis. Keep those up to date too.
- 3. Never open an attachment unless you're positive you know what it is and that you trust the sender.
- 4. Never click on a link in an email message unless you're positive you know where it's going and that you trust the sender.
- 5. Don't believe everything you read in email. PayPal and Citibank and whomever else will not be asking you to verify your account by email - it's probably just a scam to get your credit card number.
- 6. If an email offer sounds too good to be true - it most definitely is!
| References: |
| Ask Leo Notemboom |
| Internet Tutorial |
| US Cert - United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team |
