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Q: My Windows XP does not forward color pictures with a message – the message transmits, but not the picture.  Also, often it does not receive parts of the colored pictures sent to me — just little blank blocks show up with the message as though something is missing.  Please, can you help?

– Evelyn M.
Crestview,FL

 A: I covered the part of your question about sending pictures in my answer to Gene R. in last week’s column, Evelyn.  This week let’s talk about why you can’t receive pictures.

 As I’ve said in previous columns, much of what we do on the internet these days puts us at risk from malicious software, or “malware” as we Geeks like to call it.  Most people need protection from malware, whether they know it or not.  Even those who do know it tend to blame the software manufacturer (in many cases, Microsoft) when they do something that puts them at risk.  Say what you want about Microsoft, but they do take some steps to try and protect you from yourself.  Sometimes the results are rather unfortunate, like receiving red X’s in your e-mails where pictures should be.

 This happens because lurking out on the internet, the software bad guys have figured out a way to use e-mailed pictures as a sort-of beacon, which broadcasts a message back to them telling them “This e-mail address is valid!  Bring on the SPAM!”  You see, knowing that an e-mail address is valid is like money in the bank on the internet.  There are people out there who purchase lists of guaranteed valid e-mail addresses for the sole purpose of directing their SPAM e-mail at you – their unwilling audience.  In an attempt to protect you, Microsoft by default blocks your access to these attachments when they arrive in your e-mail.  This prevents the beacon from triggering.

 Well, whether or not all of the above made a lick of sense to you, you’re probably wondering if there’s a way to bypass this feature.  After all, you only want to receive your pictures, right?  Well I’ll tell you below, but before I do I want to make sure you understand that you must proceed carefully, because these instructions are going to tell you how to LOWER the security level on your computer.  If you implement these settings, be very, VERY careful about downloading or opening ANY e-mail attachment that you did not ask for, or were not expecting.

 In Outlook Express, click on “Tools” and select “Options.”  Go to the “Security” tab, and uncheck the box that says “Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail”.  If you’d like to learn more on this topic, Microsoft has a comprehensive article in its support database, which you can read by going here: http://tinyurl.com/e36xz.

TIP OF THE WEEK: Are you planning to have a “Secret Santa” gift exchange among family members or co-workers this year?  Why not let your computer do most of the work for you?  There are several sites on the internet that can help you to organize and manage your gift exchange.  Check out these sites:  www.elfster.com, drawnames.com , www.secret-gift.com, and of course, www.secretsanta.com.