This is the top of the dialog box for "Read". The first entry of interest is outlined above in yellow. Many people use the Preview Pane in Outlook Express, but unless the entry shown above is unchecked, messages will be automatically downloaded when viewed in the Preview Pane. It is safer to keep the option of downloading or not. To turn off the Preview Pane entirely, see Page 7.

The second entry of relevance to our topic is outlined above in yellow. If the box is checked, messages are read in plain text only. Although most e-mail messages today use HTML format, sometimes it is better to temporarily disable the graphics and formatting. Unfortunately, some viruses are now embedded in the HTML code of the body of an e-mail. Also, spammers and advertisers often use hidden 1-pixel images to track whether messages are being read. Put a check by this setting (and click "Apply") before opening suspicious messages. Safe messages can be read with the setting unchecked. Another way to approach the problem is to use Mailwasher or a similar program that reads text only to check mail before downloading it.

To close the box, click the "OK" button at the bottom (not shown here). To continue configuring, click on the tab marked "Security".at the top of the box. The box shown on the next page will then be opened.