E-mail Message Panes Deliver Pains

It’s so tempting to turn on the reading pane in Outlook to get a quick glimpse into every e-mail so you can peek, prioritize, and avoid panic. But, you are taking a huge risk every time you satisfy your need for those three “Ps.” The fun people who make malware (that’s tech speak for viruses and other bad things that make you swear at your computer) have figured out how to deliver their evil packages even if you don’t open their e-mail. The mere act of peeking via the reading pane can allow your computer to be used by the bad guys.

That’s just great, you say, but I’m addicted to the preview pane because it helps me respond quickly to my boss and avoid reading jokes from Uncle Freddie the Florida shuffleboard champion. Here are Networkistics' tricks for staying safe while taking a sneak peak at your e-mail.

• Turn off auto-download of email images
• If the title looks like spam, right-click it and select delete
• Make sure you have security software installed and running

If you just can’t stop using the reading pane, below are some quick safety tips:

• Make sure Windows and your applications are up to date
• Run periodic system scans with your security/virus software
• Don't open unexpected email attachments
• Don't click on links in emails

For additional ideas from Networkistics on how to make your network work better, you can contact us at 925-249-9980 or techtips@networkistics.com--- We are happy to provide free initial consultations.