Broadband Tech > Security > Security > 5 Good Reasons HTML in email is a BAD idea

reply to CalamityJane

Re: 5 Good Reasons HTML in email is a BAD idea

said by Randy Bell:

---

In Mele's defense, I happen to have received email from her in the past, and I know it is quite benign and harmless. I see nothing wrong with Mele's liking for pretty backgrounds and stationery, all of which is harmless. Mele isn't talking about attaching some malicious embedded script or ActiveX in her email: just enjoying the available features that html and rich-text formatting has to offer. :)

---

reply to Randy Bell
That's fine, Randy. I just take exception to the characterization that anyone who does not prefer or is wary of the use of HTML email as a standard (with the known potential for security issues) "hates lovely things."

Just as many caution others not to just download files willy nilly from any source, even if one has an updated AV, it's not entirely outrageous or an offense against aesthetics to suggest that wholesale use of HTML email might not be one's preference.

Perhaps one day Mele's email will appear on display in the Louvre but I still prefer text email not just for potential security reasons but because IMO it's cleaner (OE 6 does a nice job of presenting HTML emails as text IMO) and easier for me to read. I frankly prefer to read emails that way without slogging through someone else's idea of "cute" or "lovely." And yet, I still appreciate a Seurat or Monet...

Now back to my Rushkin....

reply to Randy Bell
Hi Ran. Mele is not under attack People do enjoy HTML email and attachments between friends all the time and she is obviously responsible about when and where to use it. As I said, I have no problem with that. My peeve is with people who DO NOT know when or how to turn it off when inappropriate.

Some friends I have prefer not to receive any HTML e-mail whatsoever, and I respect their reasons for that. They have their e-mail client set to read in plain text only, in which case, any HTML shows up many times as an attachment, unknown to the sender (because it is not really an attachment). I believe OE does this, though I do not use it. In fact, I found that my Juno e-mail converts my messages to HTML automatically and I needed to find out how to turn it (HTML) off when sending e-mail to those who are sensitive to receiving HTML e-mail. The article has some nice instructions on how to do that.
.........
Gordon , thanks for the info on the blinking envelope link - I about went nuts trying to figure out what that was because it isn't explained anywhere to a non-Incredimail user (or in the e-mail itself). It was a link - I did not click it as the sender was unknown to me. Glad I didn't miss anything important
--
It takes a disaster to make a woman out of a female

reply to sig
It would probably be helpful if people who used a program such as IM took the time to READ and find out that they can send PLAIN text messages with it to people who prefer that. Also, don't get carried away with all the "stuff". I had someone send me a IM message the other day, and between the colors of the stationary and type and the animated gifs hopping around, I couldn't even read the message, lol....some people DO tend to overdo it. A little goes a long way.

*note to self--add sig to non-HTML mail list*
--
»www.sarahbrightman.co.uk »www.sarah-brightman.com/

reply to sig
I understand sig: FYI, I don't format my mail in rich text, I just use the blank default stationery, but I see nothing wrong with the style and preference of folks like Mele, who seems to be away from DSLR right now, but hopefully will be back here to speak for herself. I don't wish to put words in her mouth, or to stick my foot in mine . Yet it does seem to boil down to a simple issue of personal taste and preference; I'm talking about the differences between you and Mele, both of whom are outstanding and valued contributors to DSLR Security. :)

reply to CalamityJane
You're very welcome, Janie, my 'plain text' friend:)

G.
--
Hey! Bo Diddley!

said by Bo Diddley:

---

:) You're very welcome, Janie, my 'plain text' friend:)

G.

---

reply to sig

said by sig:

---

I just take exception to the characterization that anyone who does not prefer or is wary of the use of HTML email as a standard (with the known potential for security issues) "hates lovely things."
...

Now back to my Rushkin....

---

CJ.

Well, I choose to support Mele, to balance things out in this thread, since sig and CJ are in alliance.
[text was edited by author 2002-11-27 22:09:07]