Configure Windows XP SP2 network protection technologies on a computer (Part III)

Part I: Using Windows Security Center
Part II: Configuring Internet Explorer

Configure Outlook Express

Email programs often use the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) feature to enhance the beauty and content of emails. However, the use of HTML has caused two vulnerabilities for email:

1. HTML can act as a source for scripts running on your computer. This means that anyone who sends you an email with HTML can make the computer run scripts to take the computer out of your control.
2. Businesses that use spam as a marketing technique include some links - in the email they send - to images on their web servers. The recipient does not know about the potentially dangerous code content, so when opening an email with a link, Outlook Express will automatically link to the Web server to download or display the images. When requesting an image to a web server, it can determine that the spam email message received by an email account exists, and therefore they can validate the email address in the mailing list of a spam creator.

To reduce the risks posed by that problem. Outlook Express has outlined the following features:

•

Plain text mode . This feature provides you with an option to display email messages as plain text (no format, no image, just plain text) instead of HTML. That way it is possible to block access to links that can be used for dangerous purposes.

•

Do not download extended HTML content . This default feature prevents the verification of an existing email address with the spam originator because it does not allow the use of extended links. This feature also minimizes a common problem for computers using network connection dialers. Any attempt to view HTML messages with any extended content will cause the dial-up modem to not download the expanded content.

•

Manager attached Attachment Manager . Outlook Express will call Attachment Manager when you receive email attachments. If an attachment is considered safe, Outlook Express makes it suitable by displaying safe images and allowing you to open secure attachments. If an attachment is found to be unsafe, for example an executable program, Attachment Manager will lock it so you cannot open it as usual. You will see a message. Attachments of this type include executable files (.exe), screensaver files (.scr) and script files (.vbs). If the security of the attachment is not well defined, you will receive a warning when it moves, saves, opens or prints the file.  

Note : Microsoft Windows Messenger and Internet Explorer also use Attachment Manager to manage email attachments and Internet downloads. These programs and their components may be affected by these settings changes.

When saving files to a hard drive from a program using Attachment Manager, Web content area information for files is also saved with the file.

To configure Outlook Express you must perform the following procedure:

1. Activate Plain Text mode
2. Use Security Options to configure Outlook Express to manage attachments

The request to perform

Important : You must be logged in as a member of the user group

Note : You do not need to log in as a member of the administrator security group

Activate Plain Text mode

To activate Text mode

first.

Click Start , point to All Programs , and then click Outlook Express .

2.

In Outlook Express , click Tools > Options , then select the Read tab.

Figure 19: Mail read options in Outlook Express

3.

In the Reading Messages section select Read all messages in plain text , then click Apply .

4.

Click the Send tab

Figure 20: Mailing options in Outlook Express

5.

Make sure in Mail Sending Format and News Sending Format choose Plain Text , then click OK .

Use security options to configure Outlook Express to manage attachments

The default settings of security options are all necessary for most users. 

To use security options to configure Outlook Express to manage attachments.

first.

In Outlook Express, click Tools, then click Options and select Security .

Figure 21: Outlook Express security options

2.

To enable the default settings, under Virus Protection you choose these options:

1. Restricted sites zone (More secure)
   ( Restricted area (safer) )
2. Cảnh báo khi khi thử các ứng dụng khác để gửi thư như bạn
   ( Warning when other programs want to send email like me )
   
3. Không cho phép phép gửi được để ghi lưu hoặc mở mà không thể thể sử dụng virus
   ( Do not allow potential virus attachments to be saved or opened. )

3.

To activate the default settings, under Download Images select this option:

Block images and other external content print HTML email
( Lock images and other extended content in HTML email )

4.

Click OK.

Verify the Outlook Express settings are applied

To verify the Outlook Express settings are applied

first.

Click Start , select All Programs , and then click Outlook Express .

2.

In Outlook Express , click Tools > Options , then select the Read tab.

3.

Verify that Read all messages is in plain text selected and then select the Send tab

4.

Verify that in the Mail Sending Format area and News Sending Format have Plain Text selected and then select the Security tab

5.

Under Virus Protection choose options:

1. Restricted sites zone (More secure)
   ( Restricted area (safer) )
2. Cảnh báo khi khi thử các ứng dụng khác để gửi thư như bạn
   ( Warning when other programs want to send email like me )
   
3. Không cho phép phép gửi được để ghi lưu hoặc mở mà không thể thể sử dụng virus
   ( Do not allow potential virus attachments to be saved or opened. )

6.

Under Download Images select the option:

Block images and other external content print HTML email
( Lock images and other extended content in HTML email )

7.

Click OK .

8.

Close Outlook Express

Part IV: Configuring Wireless Network Security