Sunday, April 10, 2016

What Happens If I Click That Link?

Are #HTML email safe and how can I tell? Today, I had a discussion with a friend about an email I had forwarded. It was an HTML type email (an email with pictures and code which looks like a Web page) from a "eventful.com" : a website service that lets users know things going on in their area. Interestingly enough, not only is this person a friend: he's a client who had utilized my services to bring a laptop back from a severe malware infection, and has done very well with preventing another such problem. While I am sure that appears like shameless self promotion, it does have bearing on the crux of the lesson here . ☺ When he initially shared his hesitation interacting with the HTML links contained within the email, it raised a the question that I figure would benefit all: Are HTML email safe and how can I tell? My email and the attached blog hope to allow users to see it is not so black and white, and as with most things, knowledge and understanding is truly the best answer. After thinking about it for a moment, it became my opinion that my friends concerns had been the correct instinct by practicing safety best practices by hesitating before clicking on a link contained within a forwarded email and discussing with me later. See, even though I had forwarded the email and he wanted to assume it was safe (and I am very careful to make sure before I forward something), I appreciated the virtue of online safety above all... And 9f course the realization that it isn't so simple. You see, tech folks like myself who make these type of safety recommendations also understand the dynamic nature of malware (for example, it's easy to make an email appear from someone else or a "spoofing"), So the general recommendation (especially for folks using technology from their employers) is that users should be very wary on interacting with links in email, and generally avoid it altogether. As you may have guessed, the answer isn't so simple. Obviously legitimate email does get sent via a HTML emails, and along with other types of information from sharing programs such as RSS and social media feeds, are going to be used to entice the user to interact with their site or tools. Therefore, applying a one size all fix such as "don't open links in HTML email" doesn't really apply, nor is it a convenient or effective option. However, I wanted to take it a step forward and share a great write up that will help my friend and anyone else who is interested: "authenticating" HTML emails by understanding the finer points, and understanding the fundamentals. Have questions or need assistance? Contact me using the contact us button above! #simpleassistmeblog http://ift.tt/1WlYki9
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