E-mail Attachments

The majority of people say e-mail is the number one reason they use the internet. So, we've put together an e-mail guide to help you learn the ropes. Since there are so many aspects to e-mail, we've put the information into various sections.

What are E-mail Attachments?

An e-mail attachment is a file you include with an e-mail. For example,
let's say you have a text document you want to share with someone. You
can "attach" this document to an e-mail and send it off to them.

To attach a file, you usually click some kind of paper clip icon. A dialog box opens up and lets you navigate to the file you want to attach. Just click it and you're all set (note that you don't lose the copy that's on your computer, it just sends a copy)

A word of caution though. Keep an eye on the size of the file you're
sending. Your recipient may not appreciate downloading a 3 meg file.

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EZ E-mail Attachments

Do you wish there was an easier way to place attachments in your e-mail
messages? I mean, every time you go to put an attachment in, you have to
wade through a slew of menus and files just to get the thing attached.

Well, with both MS Outlook Express & Netscape Messenger, there is an
easier way. (You knew it, didn't you?)

With MS Outlook & Netscape Messenger, you can drag & drop files from
Windows Explorer to the message you want them attached to. Here's how:

First, open Windows Explorer or My Computer and navigate to the file you
want to send. Next open your e-mail program and start a new message.

Then:

Outlook Express:

This one is easy. Just drag the file to the body of the message and let
go. You're all attached.

Netscape Messenger:

This one isn't too bad either. Drag the file to the address area of the
e-mail (not the body). Let go and it's all attached for ya.

If you're using a different e-mail program, it *may* support this as
well. You'll have to experiment to find out.

Receiving Attachments

So, what do you do if you get an attachment?

Well, it depends on the attachment. If it's a movie, picture, forwarded e-mail, text document, or some other form of harmless attachment, you can usually click the attachment (or a paper clip icon), and open it up.

If it's an "exe" file, office document (like MS Word or Excel), a vb script, or any other type of executable, you should probably save it to disk and check it with a good virus checker before running or opening it. In fact, unless you're 100% sure the file you're dealing with can't contain a virus, save it to disk and virus check it first.

See our Virus Guide for more info

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