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The Hidden Dangers of HTML Email
by Kathy Burns-Millyard
As a veteran Internet user, I can honestly say I remember a time when HTML
email was not possible. Back then RTF wasn't available either and for that
matter, email programs did not even wrap lines for you or allow file
attachments.
Today however, I receive a steady and annoying stream of email in all
shapes, colors and sizes. Almost all promotional advertisements and many
newsletters come in Html format.
Now, Spam is annoying, Spam in droves even more so, but Spam with
"twirlygigs" is intolerable -- and dangerous. HTML is for websites. I
visit them all the time and enjoy their various amusements. Email however,
is a tool. A communications method used for getting work done. I get
plenty of regular email, hundreds of pieces a day usually, due to the
support, consulting and writing services I provide. If all of those emails
are in HTML format then I'm stuck looking at potentially hundreds of web
pages and thousands of graphics.
HTML email takes extra time to download, and for me it takes extra time to
read. You see I don't trust HTML email. I've coded many websites in my day
and I know that scripts can be hidden in the pages. Now when you couple
that fact with the daily news about viruses and worms being sent, well
that's just downright scary, so I do not allow my email program to
automatically open HTML formatted email. Now I rarely use Outlook and
Express (sorry Microsoft but they feel just a bit too dangerous to me now
days) however I'd rather be safe than sorry no matter which email program
I use. So, I have my email software configured to show all HTML messages
as attachments.
Having the email converted to an attachment allows me to immediately see
if there are any other files included with the message. And let me tell
you, this has saved my butt time after time! I've lost count of how many
times I've gotten email with the HTML attached, and malicious code, worms
and viruses attached right next to it. If my email program was configured
to "conveniently" display HTML as a web page, then a lot of those attached
files would have opened on their own and done who knows what to my system.
So, if you receive a lot of email yourself, be careful what you allow to
come in. If you run a newsletter or Email update service of any kind,
please be courteous and at least ASK before sending HTML formatted email.
And when you do have permission to send HTML email, don't include heavy
graphics, scripts or other file attachments.
Text may not be as glamorous, but it's a heck of a lot safer and much
easier for your readers to glance through.
About The Author: (c) 2002 Kathy Burns. Need More Help With Spam?
See our Free Report: "How To Finally Stop Receiving Spam Email" at
http://www.sasezpublications.com/Reports/Stop-Spam/
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