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Question

Receiving blank email messages

Jul 10, 2012 10:51AM PDT

For about a month or more now, I have noticed that blank email messages arrive in my Inbox.
These only show a sender and nothing else.
Can anyone explain what this is all about and how to stop it.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Me too.
Jul 10, 2012 3:49PM PDT

I add the sender to my spam list.

Since you can't get them to not do that, you have little choice. It's like getting paper mail that is blank. Just try to stop it.
Bob

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Blank emails
Jul 12, 2012 2:16AM PDT

As I do not know any of these senders, I will add them to the spam list, as you suggest.

I am just curious to know what they possibly gain by sending out blank messages.
Occasionally, other recipients are listed as well.

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If you want to research this.
Jul 12, 2012 2:20AM PDT

Try google and the following.

How to spoof emails?

It's mildly interesting and in short, can be done. And as you will discover we can't stop them from doing this. We have to mark such as spam and toss it out.

Parting tip. Never open unsolicited emails. Even viewing the email can be a bad idea.
Bob

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if you want to research this
Jul 12, 2012 2:26AM PDT

Hi, Bob

Luckily, I do know to never open any of this.

Will google and read about it.

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Answer
I just got some today
Jul 10, 2012 9:05PM PDT

but I noticed that my email software was offering me a button to click to 'trust this sender' or to 'show remote content'.

I knew my sender so I trusted him, and when I clicked the button a link appeared in one email and an image in another.

My problem was a security one which I am glad of.

If you are getting no options like that, see what "View > Message Source" or similar offers. It displays the true contents of the emails.

Mark

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got some today
Jul 12, 2012 2:23AM PDT

Hi, Mark
I am not referring to the rare email where a friend may press 'send' accidentally before a message was written.
These are all unknown senders.
For instance, this was the latest today
United Nations web.west.309967233@att.net

I am using Windows Live Mail and will check to see which of the options you mention may be available to me.

Karin