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How to allow loading remote content, but only in certain accounts

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by sfhowes

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Unfortunately the choice to block or allow remote content in Thunderbird has always been an "all or none" deal, when it comes to your accounts. So does anyone know of a plugin or add-on that will allow me to control this permission on a "per account" basis? I'd also like to know how to request this feature as a generic option in a future version.

Most of us understand how spammers can use little remote graphics tied to a coded links, to know for sure whether a particular email address is being monitored. So it is nice that you can turn off this permission, and then re-enable it on the basis of the sender, or message. But a great deal of legitimate business email contains remote content from multiple sources, and many such businesses will also send legitimate remote content from multiple email address variations (somebusiness.com, dealsfromsomebusiness.com, etc.) That makes it difficult to simply add an exception that will work without constant re-tweaking.

A better solution is to use separate email addresses for private purposes, and others for business purposes like shopping. So it would be nice if we could just block remote content in personal accounts (unless an exception email address is added as usual), but then be able to have other accounts such as "shopping@mydomain.com" which allow ALL remote content.

Unfortunately the choice to block or allow remote content in Thunderbird has always been an "all or none" deal, when it comes to your accounts. So does anyone know of a plugin or add-on that will allow me to control this permission on a "per account" basis? I'd also like to know how to request this feature as a generic option in a future version. Most of us understand how spammers can use little remote graphics tied to a coded links, to know for sure whether a particular email address is being monitored. So it is nice that you can turn off this permission, and then re-enable it on the basis of the sender, or message. But a great deal of legitimate business email contains remote content from multiple sources, and many such businesses will also send legitimate remote content from multiple email address variations (somebusiness.com, dealsfromsomebusiness.com, etc.) That makes it difficult to simply add an exception that will work without constant re-tweaking. A better solution is to use separate email addresses for private purposes, and others for business purposes like shopping. So it would be nice if we could just block remote content in personal accounts (unless an exception email address is added as usual), but then be able to have other accounts such as "shopping@mydomain.com" which allow ALL remote content.

Modified by rconstan

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Not sure why you posted that link. It basically explains the remote content options Thunderbird has, and doesn't address any solution to the issue I raised. I was hoping too that someone might explain to me how to suggest the added functionality I described to the developers.

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You would have to file your suggestion as a 'request for enhancement' at bugzilla.com. In the meantime, I think the only way is to create separate profiles, each with its own accounts and remote content options. Not as convenient as having account-specific options, but there is an add-on, ProfileSwitcher, to simplify the setup.