Choose email display mode

Email software support two display formats: HTML and plain text (also called "simple text" or "text only").

In plain text format, emails contain only text. In HTML format, emails may contain stylized or coloured text, a background, images, etc. However, the advanced functionalities of HTML format can be misused:

• Spammers could include a link to a single image displayed automatically when spam is viewed. If the link has been visited, spammers will have confirmed the validity of the recipient’s email. The term "Web bug", also known as a "Web beacon", is used to describe this technique, since the image used usually consists of a single pixel or a transparent GIF.
• Phishers can easily hide the actual destination of a URL in their solicitation email in HTML format.
• Hackers could include content in their email aimed at exploiting a vulnerability in the document renderer of the email client in order to compromise the recipient’s computer. Although email clients have changed and are now less vulnerable to such threats, it is nevertheless advisable to only view emails in plain text format.

Outlook Express

1. Click the Tools menu
2. Click Options
3. Click the Read tab
4. Select Read all messages in plain text
5. Click OK

Outlook 2003

1. Click the Tools menu
2. Click Options
3. Click Preferences
4. Click Email Options
5. Select Read all standard mail in plain text
6. Click OK

Outlook 2007

1. Click the Tools menu
2. Click Trust Center
3. Select E-mail Security
4. Select Read all standard mail in plain text
5. Click OK

Thunderbird

1. Click the View menu
2. Select Message Body As
3. Select Plain Text

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