Moataz,
Spam and dangerous scripts are two different beasts altogether. I'll cover
the latter first, and then give you a solution to both.
It used to be that e-mail couldn't do too much harm to your computer. Those
days seem to be gone, at least if you keep up-to-date with the latest
commercial software.
If you're not a M$ Outlook Express user, you don't have too much to fear. I
did a web search for a fix for OE, but instead found even more reasons to
ditch it altogether. Below are some quotes from various web sites, with links
underneath:
"Internet Explorer and Outlook Express let any jerk sabotage your Windows PC.
...Because Outlook Express uses Internet Explorer's code, both are bad news if
you care about the safety of your Windows PC."
http://www.twcny.rr.com/technofile/texts/bit050700.html
"Microsoft�s security bulletin, however, indicated that the vulnerability is
exploited as the mail is being retrieved from the server � even before it
arrives in the inbox."
http://www.msnbc.com/news/432208.asp?cp1=1
"Now just by reading an e-mail you can be infected, and if you're using
Outlook Express, you don't even need to read it," Viveros says. The worm will
then send itself to everyone listed in that e-mail program's address book.
http://www.mrshowbiz.go.com/archive/news/Todays_Stories/991110/seinfeldvirus111099.html
If you still want to keep using OE as your email client, the following links
may be of help:
http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2000/0525outlook2.html?nf
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/articles/BubbleBoy.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/virus.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/
Now for a solution to both spam and dangerous scripts: Email Remover.
I use this very compact program every time I pick up my e-mail. It allows you
to preview and delete messages _before_ you download them to your computer.
This saves you time sifting through spam and, possibly, increases your chances
of avoiding a dangerous virus.
A good preview and tutorial of the program can be found here:
http://www.snip.net/help/eremove.htm
The program's official web site is here:
http://eremover.bizhosting.com/
This program is the best thing that has been invented since spam became a
problem.
I wish to emphasize, however, that this will not completely protect you from
all forms of e-mail sabotage attempts. Some recent viruses send themselves to
everyone in a user's address book. They use subject lines such as "The
information you requested" or "I love you". Since the message comes from
someone you know, you are less likely to be cautious before opening it.
The best policy is to avoid opening any attachments that you don't know are
legitimate. I ask all my friends to send me an accompanying message separate
from the attachment so I know it's legit. If they don't, I delete it.
I hope this information helps you. Taking precautions is like wearing your
seatbelt. Hopefully you'll never need it.
Ed
> > Is there a way or a method by which one can know the contents of a
> > message without opening it , so that we can avoid spams and dangerous
> > scripts ? Moataz
>
> Only by learning to trust the subject line. And you can and should
> always run a virus scanner on any attachment. Also if it is not from
> someone you know the best course is to just delete it.
