Before days of email scripting, creating a self-replicating virus was a large task requiring a very knowledgeable person. He would have to design and create a means whereby virus sent itself to other systems. Once email scripting was invented and became popular, virtually anyone with a few days or weeks of script training (or reading of manuals) could do same.

So if you use Outlook Express, you MUST install a very good virus checking program (such as Norton Antivirus) and you MUST keep definitions up-to-date. Unfortunately, email security patch for Outlook which disables email scripting does not apply to Outlook Express, so is of no help. (I am not sure if scripting problem applies to Outlook Express which ships with Internet Explorer 6 and above as I have not installed that program yet).

To sum it up quickly, Outlook Express is a reasonable email and newsgroup client. The best that can be said about it is product works and it's free. You are, however, exposing yourself to some risk if you use program, especially if you do not have a good antivirus program installed.

Additional Reading

Changing Location Of Outlook Stationary http://www.internet-tips.net/System/registry_outlookstationary.htm The location of Outlook and Outlook Express stationary files is contained in registry. You can modify this value.

Creating Stationery Using Outlook Express 5 Lesson #1 - Basics http://www.internet-tips.net/Email/outlookstationarycreate01.htm

Creating Stationery Using Outlook Express 5 Lesson #2 - Stationery Wizard http://www.internet-tips.net/Email/outlookstationarycreate02.htm

Email - The most critical application on web http://www.internet-tips.net/Email/Email.htm Email is most used and most important component on web. There are lots of options available to make your email experience better and more more fulfilling.

Outlook Stationery http://www.internet-tips.net/Email/outlookstationary.htm Both Outlook and Outlook Express support stationery files, which allow you to send very cool-looking email messages.

The Ultimate In Virus Protection http://www.internet-tips.net/Security/Virusprotection.htm Learn how to protect your computer and your hard work. Start with a backup plan, install antivirus software and subscribe to newsletters.

Viruses http://www.internet-tips.net/Security/Viruses.htm The most important thing you can do to protect your system is install a virus checker (also known as an anti-virus program). These programs will scan your system for viruses and Trojan horses and delete or repair them. There are several products including those by McAfee and Norton (Symantec).

The point of all of this is to demonstrate how easy it is for your email to be seen by any number of people at any number of computers throughout world. An email message is by no means private (unless, of course, it is encrypted, which means it is saved in a form that cannot be read except by receiver).

How does carnivore operate? Well, if FBI needed to perform an investigation, they would get a court order to install Carnivore on an ISP's email server. This program will monitor all emails that are sent to and received from ISP's system. It is looking for anything related to investigation, and reportedly it can be very finely tuned to look for extremely specific patterns.

In words of FBI, "The Carnivore device provides FBI with a "surgical" ability to intercept and collect communications which are subject of lawful order while ignoring those communications which they are not authorized to intercept. This type of tool is necessary to meet stringent requirements of federal wiretapping statutes."

The FBI requires very specific authorization to perform it's surveillance, as stated on official web site: "Applications for electronic surveillance must demonstrate probable cause and state with particularity and specificity: offense(s) being committed, telecommunications facility or place from which subject's communications are to be intercepted, a description of types of conversations to be intercepted, and identities of persons committing offenses that are anticipated to be intercepted. Thus, criminal electronic surveillance laws focus on gathering hard evidence -- not intelligence."

The issue is whether or not FBI can be trusted to only look at information which it has authorization to examine. On one hand, should we trust agencies such as FBI? Will they abuse this tool? On other hand, why deny critical information to FBI which might help them convict real criminals? Why allow criminals and terrorists a way to send information without threat of surveillance? Hackers and other people already have ability to intercept emails at will - why not allow our law enforcement agencies do same?

Interesting choice, isn't it?