Bob the Cyber-Guy’s Cyber Safety Tip #126

“Your Email ‘Preview Pane’ Can Trigger Attacks”

You don’t have to click an email for it to cause trouble anymore.

🚨 What’s the hidden risk?

Many email programs automatically preview messages as soon as you highlight them. That preview can:

• Load tracking pixels

• Confirm your email address is active

• Trigger malicious scripts in poorly protected systems

• Download hidden content from remote servers

In short:
Just previewing an email can tell scammers, “Yes, this inbox is alive.”

⚠️ Common assumptions that aren’t true anymore

• “I didn’t click anything, so I’m safe”

• “Previewing isn’t opening”

• “My email program blocks that stuff by default”

Some do. Some don’t. And settings change after updates.

✅ Simple protection steps

• Disable automatic preview panes when possible

• View emails in plain text if your email app allows it

• Don’t preview suspicious senders — delete first

• Turn off automatic image loading

• Use spam filters aggressively (they exist for a reason)

 🧠 Cyber-Bob’s rule of thumb

If an email wants your attention before you ask for it, don’t give it any.

Modern email attacks are subtle, quiet, and patient.

They don’t need your click — they just need your curiosity. 

(I created the prompt, ChatGPT created the information.)