can I avoid malware by using print preview on suspect emails
If a message in my inbox looks suspicious I am reluctant to open it in case an infection accesses my PC. I think I read that using a preview function will allow me to see what the message is about and who sent it without risk of infection. I don't see 'preview' only "print preview." Will this give the result I want? Is there a better option?
Chosen solution
I have also seen all kinds of reference to 'Preview Panes'. There is no such thing as a 'Preview'. In Thunderbird, that pane is called 'Message Pane'.
There are different ways of opening an email to read it. A single left click on email in list will open email in the 'Message Pane' which when enabled, by default displays below the list of emails. A double left click will open the email in either a new tab or window depending upon your settings.
Both methods open the email. You cannot read an email without opening it.
Thunderbird tries to safeguard your privacy. Certain things are not automatically set by default.
By default, Thunderbird does not allow display of 'Remote Content' unless you have changed settings to display it. More info on 'Remote Content': https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/remote-content-in-messages
By default, Thunderbird does not display Attachments inline. This is an option you would have to select. To safe guard privacy, only switch this on if you are certain the email is good. Located here: 'View' > 'Display Attachments Inline'
Do not open any attachment unless you know what you are opening.
If you see clickable links/images/email address etc in an email, do not click on them unless you know what you are clicking on. You can hover over any link to see the real email address shown in the lower 'Status Bar'.
If you follow this advise, simply opening an email will not cause any issue.
However, Clicking on links or opening attachments is when you are more likely to have an issue.
Note: do not believe that it must be a good email based on the email address alone. There are some nefarious people who abuse email addresses, pretending to be someone they are not.
Ask family and friends to apply personalised 'signatures' in their emails to help you identify a true email from them. Suggest you use one yourself as it adds a bit of your personality to an email. If emails do not look and sound like they are from known friends, then be wary.
It is also possible to choose 'Plain Text' mode for reading (and writing emails), which strips away all formatting.
'View' > 'Message Body as' > 'Plain Text'
Plain Text info: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Plain_text_e-mail_(Thunderbird)
Privacy basics: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Privacy_basics_%28Thunderbird%29
Hope this general load of info helps.
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Chosen Solution
I have also seen all kinds of reference to 'Preview Panes'. There is no such thing as a 'Preview'. In Thunderbird, that pane is called 'Message Pane'.
There are different ways of opening an email to read it. A single left click on email in list will open email in the 'Message Pane' which when enabled, by default displays below the list of emails. A double left click will open the email in either a new tab or window depending upon your settings.
Both methods open the email. You cannot read an email without opening it.
Thunderbird tries to safeguard your privacy. Certain things are not automatically set by default.
By default, Thunderbird does not allow display of 'Remote Content' unless you have changed settings to display it. More info on 'Remote Content': https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/remote-content-in-messages
By default, Thunderbird does not display Attachments inline. This is an option you would have to select. To safe guard privacy, only switch this on if you are certain the email is good. Located here: 'View' > 'Display Attachments Inline'
Do not open any attachment unless you know what you are opening.
If you see clickable links/images/email address etc in an email, do not click on them unless you know what you are clicking on. You can hover over any link to see the real email address shown in the lower 'Status Bar'.
If you follow this advise, simply opening an email will not cause any issue.
However, Clicking on links or opening attachments is when you are more likely to have an issue.
Note: do not believe that it must be a good email based on the email address alone. There are some nefarious people who abuse email addresses, pretending to be someone they are not.
Ask family and friends to apply personalised 'signatures' in their emails to help you identify a true email from them. Suggest you use one yourself as it adds a bit of your personality to an email. If emails do not look and sound like they are from known friends, then be wary.
It is also possible to choose 'Plain Text' mode for reading (and writing emails), which strips away all formatting.
'View' > 'Message Body as' > 'Plain Text'
Plain Text info: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Plain_text_e-mail_(Thunderbird)
Privacy basics: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Privacy_basics_%28Thunderbird%29
Hope this general load of info helps.