[pianotech] Web based email

[Andy Rudoff]

I usually ignore off-topic pianotech posts but this one contains
misleading statements.  Please do not think that you can get "complete
privacy" in email by switching from a web-based client to a non-web
based client.  Email is typically sent in cleartext across many
Internet servers and routers, managed by all sorts of different people
and companies.  Any of those people can read your email whether you
download it or keep it on someone's server.  Worse than that, the
sender of an email (or anyone who owns a server that processes the
email) can change the content, including headers like the From line,
the Date line, etc. to say anything.  So you cannot trust that an
email comes from who it says it comes from.

If we all know this, if we all understand that email is insecure then
we can scrutinize what it sent to us and use it as we see fit.  But
please understand the only way to make email private is to use
encryption and the advice posted below is incorrect.

There are literally hundreds of forums and websites dedicated to
giving you correct information about email security -- pianotech is
for piano-related topics so I hope our subscribers won't try to use it
as a place to get advice on email!

-andy

On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Duaine & Laura Hechler
<dahechler at charter.net> wrote:
> Just a friendly reminder.
>
> Most web based email is hosted on someone else's servers. With that
> said, that means, legally or not, they can, at the very least, read your
> email.
>
> With client email packages, like Outlook and (FREE) Thunderbird, etc.,
> your email is passed through their server and downloaded to your system
> (PC / Laptop) where you and only you have complete privacy and control
> of the email.
>
> So if you are paranoid about your emails, then use a email client.
>
> I'm not advocating using one way or the other, just passing along that
> web hosted email is subject to spying and phishing.
>
> Merry Christmas,
> Duaine
>
> --
> Duaine Hechler
> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ
> Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
> Reed Organ Society Member
> Florissant, MO 63034
> (314) 838-5587
> dahechler at charter.net
> www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
> --
> Home & Business user of Linux - 10 years
>
>
>