Microcomputer Services

Securing Microsoft Outlook & Outlook Express

Of all email clients Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express are particularly susceptible to viruses and worms. While some of this is due to the popularity of both Windows and Outlook, Microsoft ships their email clients with features that are easily exploited by virus authors.

You are the best possible defense against email viruses and worms. Do not open suspicious email messages or attachments, even if they have been sent by friends or family. This is a common trick used by virus programmers.

We also strongly recommend installing Antivirus software.

To turn off features that make Outlook easily exploited, follow the steps below that correspond with the version of Outlook or Outlook Express you use.

Version 6:

  1. From the Tools menu select Options....
  2. Click on the Send tab and uncheck Automatically put people I reply to in my Address Book.
  3. Under Mail Sending Format click Plain Text.
  4. Click the OK button.
  5. From the View menu select Columns and select Size.
  6. From the View menu select Layout and uncheck Show preview pane.

What we are doing: in step 2 we reduce the number of people who will receive virus-laden messages from you if your computer becomes infected. In step 3 we reduce the possibility of transmitting an HTML/JavaScript virus. In step 5 we tell Outlook to show the size of the message, making it easier to spot suspicious messages. In step 6 we turn off the email preview pane, helping to prevent viral attachments from automatically executing.

Version 5:

  1. From the Tools menu select Options....
  2. Click on the Security tab and, under Security Zones, select Restricted sites zone.
  3. Click on the Send tab and, under Mail Sending Format, click Plain Text
  4. Click the OK button.
  5. From the View menu select Columns and select Size.
  6. From the View menu select Layout and uncheck Show preview pane.

What we are doing: in step 2 we limit the scope of executable attachments. In step 3 we reduce the possibility of transmitting an HTML/JavaScript virus. In step 5 we set Outlook to show the size of the message, making it easier to stop suspicious messages. In step 6 we turn off the email preview pane, helping to prevent viral attachment from automatically executing.