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Imposing HTML emails - all that glitters is not gold!

ediTRACK don't waste time creating flashy html emails to communicate the benefit of our services to our existing or potential new customers. We respect your need for privacy and email security so we wont send extravagant graphics to captivate our customers.

Although HTML can make email interesting and pretty to look at there are reasons why you should be cautious when sending and receiving emails with HTML content:

  1. You are forced to view the email in the format and style the sender wants. HTML is a way for the email sender to force the recipient to view the content in the predefined format they want you to see; its not giving you choice on how you want to view the information!
  2. You may have chosen a format in which to receive email which gets totally erased. Some e-mail recipients may have set their background to something other than white, may have chosen a typeface which they find most readable and adjusted its size in accordance with their visual acuity, normal viewing distance, monitor size and screen resolution. All this fine tuning is completely erased by HTML e-mail.
  3. You may have to waste time adjusting the email to view it easily. As the recipient of this type of email you may have to waste time adjusting to the imposed email format to find the information you want if you have set your incoming email to your own preference.
  4. HTML may cost you more money in bandwidth. HTML emails consume much more bandwidth than plain text. Such bandwidth issues can be acute for people who read their news and email on a personal digital assistant, a practice that has become quite widespread.
  5. HTML quickly fills the memory of PDAs. HTML quickly fills the memory of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants like the Palm Pilot). In addition, many HTML messages are also completely unreadable on most PDAs.

Be aware of the potential security dangers with spam HTML emails:

    1. HTML or MIME messages can leave or include unwanted files (attachments) on the machines of the recipients of these messages.
    2. Embedded HTML or MIME attachments are the number one method of spreading virus, worm or Trojan programs.
    3. HTML messages can trigger dialups to the Internet if they contain links to specific images called "web bugs" that are used to track message and advertiser viewing.
    4. When you read HTML email you let the sender give commands to your computer. Some of these commands can be used maliciously to exploit common security holes. This can expose you to spam, computer viruses and worms.
    5. HTML email can also embed JavaScript that will track forwarded HTML email and transmit any added text! This is known as "email wire tapping" and it is a very good reason for businesses to forbid the use of HTML mail.

Some handy tips if you decide to read an HTML email:

  1. Do not enable ActiveX.
  2. Instruct your email client to turn off JavaScript and not to display external images.
  3. Dont forward the message because you will forward any email bug or email wiretap to a recipient who may be less security conscious than you are.

ediTRACK are not against HTML email per se, but against sending it to a recipient whom you do not know to consider it acceptable. HTML is best meant for use on websites and NOT for mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups postings, proper business E-mail correspondence and preferably not for personal E-mail unless expected by the recipient.