Now that we're in the technological age everyone is concerned with electronic mail privacy. It's impossible to say that all emails will remain totally private. Listed here are just a few possibilities of privacy intrusions:

• No email is 100% hacker proof
  
• Big Brother monitors emails for National Security Issues
  
• Email sent from the office is considered official company communication and property
  

You've seen those emails with a bazillion email addresses showing in the latest forward to your Inbox? It's exhausting to wade through all those addresses to finally come to the purpose of the forward being sent to you. Whew! What can one do to stop your own email address from showing up in one of those mega lists?

Let's look at a few tips in keeping the email addresses of others private.

• Reply To All: This is one button that I personally have removed from my Outlook Express tool bar. More often times than not, when using Reply To All emails are sent out unnecessarily to others. It is best to use the Reply button and answer the person directly.
  
  
• Bcc: Is great for sending a group of emails out. Each addressee will only see 2 email addresses, yours and theirs. All others are hidden. Outlook Express does not have the Bcc field set as a default, see diagram 1 on this page to help your select this option and have it show permanently in your new email message window.
  
  

  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." --The Holy Bible

  Bcc can be considered by some to be poor email etiquette, you decide. With the latest privacy issues this becomes null and void when considering the privacy of others as well as yourself.
  
  
• Email Address Mega Lists: This is an easy one. In the forward sent to you delete all information that is not pertinent to your recipient. This is taking in consideration that you would like to pass this forward on to others in your addressbook. Maybe the little arrows can stay but those mega lists of emails must go!
  
  

A good rule of thumb: If the email you are sending out is safe enough for anyone to read, you are okay. If not consider hand delivering a message, making a quick phone call or sending a message snail mail. Thus it saves allot of undo stress, especially if the message is of a delicate nature and for the recipient only.

Electronic mail privacy and courtesy should be granted to all those that are being sent a message from your desk. Internet privacy is a hot topic for 2006 and it's here stay. Make the most of your Internet browsing and emailing with a few simple suggestions applied in this e-tip.