Tip 1033: Automatically display pictures from some external sources

I've done my share of warning people to not enable the option to automatically download external content, because it sends back "web bugs" and could possibly allow a specially crafted email message (that uses a Java exploit) to infect your computer. It's a remote possibility at this point, but Java has so many holes that I don't trust it. (I removed Java from my office computers.)

I prefer not to have my Outlook 2010 show pictures by default because of the tracking associated with them. BUT I would like to download pictures from some sources. Is there an option to download pictures only from designated sources?

You can control what content gets downloaded automatically in Trust center, Automatic Download options.

You can allow automatic download from addresses or domains on the Safe Senders and Safe Recipients lists used by the Junk email filter. This would include addresses in your contacts folder, if you have the Junk email filter configured to trust addresses in your address book.

In Outlook 2010, you can access the Junk Email Options from the Home ribbon. There are separate junk mail settings for each email account in your profile. To access the settings for a specific account, open that account's Inbox then view the Junk Email Options. If you use one Inbox for all accounts, select a message received by that account then view the Junk Email Options.

In Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2003, Junk Email Options are on the Tools, Options dialog.

Published October 17, 2012. Last updated on October 17, 2012.