Web based email

[Jo]

Sean, what are your opinions on web based email like Yahoo DSL? Is it less secure than downloading mail from your server and using Outlook or Netscape to manage email?

[Sean]

Sean, what are your opinions on web based email like Yahoo DSL? Is it less secure than downloading mail from your server and using Outlook or Netscape to manage email?Jo,
I would tend to say they are pretty much the same when it comes to being secure...as far as sending/receiving goes. The most major difference would have to be virus scanning/spam software. Web based emails from yahoo,aol.......etc are automatically scanned with the latest virus definations and spam is put into its own seperate folder. Where as in outlook/netscape the user is the one responsible for maintaning virus software and choosing what is or is not spam.
But even with the latest engines/definitions you can still get a virus from either type of email service.

[ksquared]

Hi Jo, If you are interested in security issues, you may want to check out the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.

"US-CERT is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the public and private sectors. Established to protect the nation's Internet infrastructure, US-CERT coordinates defense against and responses to cyber attacks across the nation."

http://www.us-cert.gov
If you would like more information on how to secure your portion of cyber-space (something we should all be concrened with), you can subscibe to their free email lists. Along with securtiy tips, you'll also get email notifications when a new virus (or an an old one resurfaced) are detected. A much more timely means of finding out about attachs and new visurs's than the days or even weeks it takes for the IP's to notifiy their subscribers. They also maintain a library of excellant resources.