Bay of Isles Computers Support and Technical Tips

Bay of Isles Computers

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Esperance WA 6450

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boic@boic.net.au

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What Do I need to know about Sending & Receiving Email?

Thanks to Microsoft - Oct 2001

E-mail is increasingly the communications conduit of choice among friends around the world. It's an easy and often instantaneous way of keeping in touch.

Considerations When Sending Mail

Is your mail secure? Private? Unless your e-mail application provides encryption features such as the use of digital signatures, your messages are about as private as a letter sent in an unsealed envelope. Although it is highly unlikely, it is possible for someone to intercept and read a message.

For those messages that require strong security, numerous encryption options are available. If you use Microsoft® Outlook® or Outlook Express, you can turn on the application’s security options. Even though most communications don’t require this level of security, when in doubt, encrypt it.

It is important to know who will be receiving your mail. Do not send personal information or a photograph of yourself--particularly if you're a child--to anyone you don't know. You wouldn't give your phone number or address to a stranger on the street, so don't do it on the Internet.

Considerations When Receiving Mail

In most cases, the e-mail message you receive comes from the person or group whose name appears in the From line of the message. Sometimes, however, people deliberately provide incorrect information--either in an attempt to fool you into reading a message you might not otherwise read or to disguise the origin of the message.

If you receive e-mail from someone you don't know or from a suspect source--or a message from someone you know with an unlikely source, content, or attachment--be wary. If the sender is someone you know, you might want to call the individual and make sure that it is a valid attachment before you open it. If the mail message has a suspicious attachment and it comes from someone you don't know, you may want to delete the message without opening it. It could contain a virus that damages your computer just by opening the message.

Beware of Mail-Borne Viruses

It is prudent to use virus-protection software on your computer that can scan your incoming e-mail messages and attachments. Also make sure to keep the list of recognized viruses current. Software makers routinely update their virus lists whenever a new virus is discovered. You should keep your protection up to date by frequently downloading the current virus list and importing it into your virus-protection program.

Spam

One final word: spam. Yes, that unsolicited commercial junk e-mail that nearly everyone receives and nearly everyone hates. These messages are often sent in mass mailings to millions of e-mail addresses, so don't assume you've been individually targeted for an incredible sounding offer. It's rarely worth sending a reply to ask that your name be removed from the list; the reply just confirms that you are a person with an active e-mail address who can be plagued with unwanted e-mail solicitations.

Where will you find a computer you can use to check your email? Hotels sometimes provide them. Other likely places include public libraries, Internet cafes, friends' homes and office services oulets.

Did You Know?

The MSN® Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service has some helpful spam filtering capabilities built in, such as Inbox Protector. If you are using the Microsoft Outlook 2000 messaging and collaboration client as your e-mail program, you can use Rules Wizard to block junk e-mail.