Listener Paul writes:

With all the viruses floating around today it wise to have a good virus scanner (see the MustHaveSecuritySoftware Section). Having said that most viruses seem to target MS Outlook, so what not try other email clients. My favorite has to be Eudora, the new version now even contains a spam feature which is great.

Please correct me if I’m wrong. Other recommendations are welcome. Please Post below thanks.

Paul

You’ll be safest with an email program that doesn’t use the built-in Internet Explorer engine to display HTML emails (otherwise it will have the same security problems as Outlook etc.) Eudora does use the built-in web viewer, but you can turn off HTML email. I suggest you do - HTML email contains all sorts of security and privacy issues.

Thanks Leo, I do turn off the HTML email (I alway have). For those who do use Eudora the setting are under Tools/Options/Viewing Mail/Use Microsoft’s Viewer make sure this is unticked.

Marty - WI Tech Guy writes: IncrediMail lets you take full control over what your emails look like from backgroud, sound etc. Along with blocking 100% spam with approved senders only feature Plus Much More !! Check it out for FREE & see what you being missing out on in your email client.

There’s a myth about Incredimail having spyware. This is simply Not Ture. For complete details on Incredimail privacy polices Click Here

Incredimail Tip: To use the Junk Mail/Unapproved Senders feature with the latest update of Incredimail you must use your Deleted Items with a Unapproved Sender message rule simply by adding a message rule that send ALL Unapproved Senders to your Deleted Items folder. Your deleted mail & unapproved mail/spam will still be deleted everyday when deleted items are set to be deleted in the Tools/Options.

• Thunderbird from the Mozilla Project supports HTML mail but uses the Mozilla Gecko engine to render it safely..
• Another good email client that Sarah Lane recommended on The Screen Savers was PocoMail from www.pocomail.com. It costs $40 which is a little much, but there is a free demo.

Better yet, use a program that doesn’t display HTML messages at all.

• Pegasus

On the Macintosh I use the excellent

• Powermail - it has the fastest full text search of any program I’ve ever used. Very handy. And no HTML mail!

Paul Tevis writes: Allright, I do not recommend Outlook Express! Microsoft is not going to make it so you will not be able to use your msn or hotmail account on Outlook anymore! Microsoft thinks that people are abusing the Outlook Express! Well, Mozilla Thunderbird is an awesome program. I am currently using it, and am having no problems. So, go check it out!

Kalic writes: Outlook Express, AOL even Lotus Notes, email client that requires Web Browser ActiveX to handle HTML email is vulnerable to MS Outlook (Internet Explorer) targeted attacks. Users should either stay away form those “IE-bonded” email clients or stop using HTML messages. I’m using M2 and Thunderbird and I’m loving it.

Avid Leo Fan, Kelley writes: If you love the power of Outlook but hate that 1) it’s Microsoft produced and 2) that is has HUGE security issues, then check out Barca 1.4. They even have a Palm Sync in Beta!!! It’s the best Outlook alternative out there… even has a VERY FAMILIAR GUI for those who like that look & is only $59 for the standard version. Pretty cheap if you compare them side by side.

I’ve been using it since version 1.2 and it keeps getting better and better…. I’ll never, EVER go back!!!