Is there any safe way to open potentially malicious e-mail?

[The Backlash Cometh]

Is there a program that can contain an e-mail while you click on the link? I have an interesting e-mail that came in, personalized in every possible way, but I don't know the person who sent it. It either is some helpful information, or someone is going through a lot of trouble to mess up my computer.

[RC]

1. What are you using for an anti-virus?

Are you using Web Mail Y/N?

You said there was a link. Copy and past just the link into Google search and see what you get. Not in the address bar, in the Google search window.

[hobbit709]

2. Personalized email from someone you don't know?

My automatic response would be to DELETE

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I think that's what I'll have to do.

[canetoad]

4. You could open the mail with Mailwasher

Last free version available here. http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page2.html#Mailwasher It's an oldie but still works well and enables you to read the mail contents before downloading to your machine.

Then as RC said, copy any links into Google, or open with Firefox and the NoScript addon.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Thank you. Sounds like a useful application.

[elias49]

6. Use Sandboxie

very useful application.
Opening mail, installing software....it all happens in a 'sandbox' that segregates whatever you're doing from your OS until you're satisfied that it's 'clean'.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. What a great name.