Malware/Virus Warning

[swamprat69er]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Apart from the already mentioned tips, using an email client rather than webmail adds an additional layer of security. Most clients have loading stuff from external sources turned off by default, this also prevents tracking. Furthermore you are also able to see the real domain/address of the sender.

Please tell this stupid old Canuck what the difference is between 'webmail' and an 'e-mail client'.

[Jimbuna]

Webmail (or web-based email) is any email client implemented as a web application accessed via a web browser. Examples of webmail providers include AOL Mail, Gmail, Outlook.com and Yahoo! Mail. Practically every webmail provider offers email access using a webmail client, and many of them also offer email access by a desktop email client using standard email protocols, while many internet service providers provide a webmail client as part of the email service included in their internet service package.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webmail

I use Microsoft Outlook

Like most client programs, an email client is only active when a user runs it. The most common arrangement is for an email user (the client) to make an arrangement with a remote Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) server for the receipt and storage of the client's emails. The MTA, using a suitable mail delivery agent (MDA), adds email messages to a client's storage as they arrive. The remote mail storage is referred to as the user's mailbox.

Emails are stored in the user's mailbox on the remote server until the user's email client requests them to be downloaded to the user's computer, or can otherwise access the user's mailbox on the possibly remote server.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email_client

My ISP 'Virgin Media' has this facility and I can access it from any computer.

[swamprat69er]

Thanks. I use gmail right now, but I think I will go back to incredimail.

[Jimbuna]

Had a lot of fun with incredimail in years long past

[Penguin]

Here is a link to some good software: https://prism-break.org/en/ - including some email clients.
Even if you don't mind surveillance, remember that hackers might also be able to exploit the interface the "intelligence" agencies use to gain access to private data or spread malicious code.

As an email client, I personally use Thunderbrid, together with the lightning calender extension and some additional add-ons, e.g. enigmail for encryption. Sadly it's missing some functions im comparison to Outlook, but both my private and company communication are nobody's business:http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...tion-user-data

Not giving away your email adress to everyone and their son is imo the key for spam avoidance, for registration at non important or fishy-looking sites, I either use a throwaway address or the bugmenot addon for the webbrowser.