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Why do I get empty frames instead of pictures in my email?

  • 1 reply
  • 4 have this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

Barb
Barb
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There used to be a clickable box (can't remember what it said) that enabled me to see whatever pictures came with the body of the email message (NOT an attachment). This box has disappeared. All I see in the message buffer where there should be pictures are empty frames. Some of these contain links, but generally clicking in them produces no result. Some email messages have a link to the web, where the pictures are available, but not all of them. What happened? What changed? Where can I go to get things back to the way they used to be?

My Thunderbird is up to date; my OS is Mavericks. (I'd like to upgrade to El Capitan, but I need to use certain programs which I'm not sure will run on it.)

There used to be a clickable box (can't remember what it said) that enabled me to see whatever pictures came with the body of the email message (NOT an attachment). This box has disappeared. All I see in the message buffer where there should be pictures are empty frames. Some of these contain links, but generally clicking in them produces no result. Some email messages have a link to the web, where the pictures are available, but not all of them. What happened? What changed? Where can I go to get things back to the way they used to be? My Thunderbird is up to date; my OS is Mavericks. (I'd like to upgrade to El Capitan, but I need to use certain programs which I'm not sure will run on it.)

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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It sounds like you are discussing remote images.

Thunderbird by default does not display remote images. This is a security feature designed to protect your privacy. This protects your privacy because spammers can verify your email address by detecting if you viewed a remote image in a message from them. Its also possible to embed an executable (malware) in images.

Read more info about Remote content, how to enable it for specific contacts or as a one off. You can also disable this feature although it is not recommended and you do so understanding the risk.

Emails in the junk folder would need to moved into another folder in order to see the buttons to allow remote content for that email etc.

If remote content is blocked then you should see a message just above the email content: 'To protect your privacy, Thunderbird has blocked remote content in this message' The 'options' button offers you some options. you can select to:

  • allow the remote content for that message only
  • always allow for that particular email address.

You can also turn off Remote Content blocking, although that is not advisable - the risk is your to take. Please do not assume email scanning will cover you.

Tools > Options > Privacy or Menu icon > Options > Options > Privacy note : MAC user you may find this under Thunderbird >Preferences > Privacy

  • Under 'Mail Content
  • select: 'Allow remote content in messages'
  • click on OK

Please read this before you selct the option to switch it off - you need to be clear on what it does.

Modified by Toad-Hall