Microsoft outlook express.has disabled email attachments.to stop the spread of email viruses

Once enabled your computer will become vulnerable to email viruses

And it doesn't matter what kind of anti virus protection you have.Anti virus software can only protect you from know viruses.Brand new viruses are detected and added to the Anti viruse database.after they've infected thousands of computers.once a computer is infected.it becomes difficult to clean the computer of the virus.files are often quarantine or deleted.in the process of cleaning any computer.these may be valuable files.personal files.that become deleted.if you think I'm trying to put you off doing this.good I am.

You have been warned

Before I show you how to open email attachments.I'm going to show you how to look at email attachments lowering the chances of infecting yourself

Open outlook express and Click View

Then click Layout...

The layout box will appear If preview pane is enabled.disable it by clicking show preview pane box so the box becomes clear.many viruses use preview plane to launch themselves simply by clicking on an email.a preview is launched.and the virus is launched.disabling this will increase your security significantly. especially if your going to open email attachments

Now here's how you look at attachments without opening them.to verify where they came from and what they contain

Using your right hand mouse button.the one you usually don't use to open stuff with.click on a email you'd like to examine.a menu will appear.click properties --------try to use a trusted email to get yourself started.

A box will appear click details

Then click message source

A. grey box will appear.enlarge the box

Now there's this rather daunting looking box.with lots of stuff you don't understand in it.

But there's also stuff you do understand in it.I've highlighted the stuff you should understand.in red.email addresses.while looking at your own box.do you recognize the email address as a trusted one.a friend.etc..is your email address the only one there.if there's multiple email addresses.be very suspicious.

If you'd like to see what viruses look like.you can try these test email-virus sites.

Although there is no normal in viruses.I've found (base64 ) and ( octet-stream ) used amongst the most prevalent viruses

Once you verify that the email is safe.if your even slightly uncertain.wait 48 hrs. and do a virus definition update on your anti virus software before opening any attachments.

And here's how you open attachments at your own risk

Click.tools then click options

A. Box will appear.click security

Un check the box that says do not allow attachments to the saved or open that could potentially be a virus .then click apply at the bottom of this box

once you'd saved your attachment.and scanned it with your anti virus software.repeat the procedure but this time enable the box that says.do not allow.it's important to have this feature running.forget at your peril .and don't come complaining that you forgot and got a virus.you have been warned