Is Opening Spam in an ISP's Webmail a Security Risk? 2

[RexxSysProg]

My ISP has a Report as Spam box to check in my inbox on their webmail site but then they completely ignore the flag and do not block that spam e-mail address. Their tech support manager told me that I have to forward the email to a particular address that they use for recording spam, where they will then block that e-mail address.

But in their webmail there isn't any way to forward the e-mail without first opening it. I am un-comfortable in opening the spam because I am concerned about virus/spyware but their tech support manager insists that as the e-mail is being opened in the IE browser in the ISP's webmail and not downloaded to, and not being opened on, my machine there isn't any risk.

Is he really right? Is there no exposure in doing this?

 

[Ed2020]

No, he isn't right. The main risk would come from opening attachments or clicking on links, but there *may* be a risk in just opening the email.

Ed Metcalfe.


Please do not feed the trolls.....

 

[electronicsfreak]

Yeah, you need to call and report that guy. Whoever said that should be repremended or fired. Never open an email that you dont know who or what its from. Opening an email can be a huge security risk depending on what a user has attached to it. Clicking mark as spam should automatically block the email address.

The reason its probably not being blocked, the person sending it is probably putting in a different fake email address each time with the same name. Like Jake Jones sundancekid@aol.com , then next time Jake Jones melgibsonfan@yahoo.com , etc..



There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[RexxSysProg]

Thanks Ed2020 and electronicsfreak. They backed off saying I should open the mail and found another way. The reason it wasn't working is that there is a third thing that had to be checked - "block sender". But it did not appear in the Inbox because there weren't any instructions saying it was supposed to be there nor how to turn it on. Finally got a manager who spent some time with me and figured it out. Stars to both of you for your help.

 

[electronicsfreak]

thanks and appreciate the star!! glad you got it figured out

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon