can a message hurt me when I preview using the reading pane

[Stu2126]

If I'm previewing message in the reading pane and they contain a virus or
worm, can I get hurt even though I didn't open the message?

 

[dlw]

Microsoft tries to plug and patch the security holes, but the answer is yes,
if you do not have the latest updates, or if you get a message that has an
exploit MS hasn't gotten around to fixing yet, you can get "hurt."

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Since Outlook does not run file attachments automatically, blocks potentially dangerous attachments by default, does not run code in HTML messages by default, blocks external content (Outlook 2003) etc. etc., the reading pane is very, very safe.

There is always the possibility of some unanticipated Internet Explorer vulnerability, of course, but given the protections outlined above, it would have to be a humdinger to put a virus on your machine.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Brian Tillman]

If I'm previewing message in the reading pane and they contain a
virus or worm, can I get hurt even though I didn't open the message?

Not with current versions.

 

[Stu2126]

Thanks, you all were very helpful

Not with current versions.