Daddy Bob

DADDY BOB'S COMPUTER Q & A

 

January 20, 2008

Q. Sometimes I email a file to myself as an attachment so I can later access it from another location.  It's sending from my email address to my email address, so why does it sometimes take hours before it arrives in my mailbox?  It's really not going anywhere.

A. Your ISP is probably intercepting it since it has an attachment and it is addressed to and from the same email address. This to either wait until there is less traffic to send the attachment, or to check it for malware. The most likely reason is the latter to be sure your email address has not been spoofed. E-mail spoofing is a term used to describe fraudulent email activity in which the sender's address and other parts of the email header are altered to appear as though the email originated from a different source.

This is why you may occasionally receive a message that an email sent from your account couldn't be delivered to someone for any number of reasons. This can happen even though you never sent the original email message. There is little you can do about someone spoofing your email address and if it happens only occasionally, I would just ignore it. If it starts happening all the time, you can complain to your ISP with questionable results, or just change your email name.

Changing your base email name is not usually a viable option since it may also be your account name. Therefore, it is advisable for you to create an alias email name, and never use your main one for anything you don't absolutely have to. Almost all ISPs allow you to create at least one alias, and most allow more than one. Then if there is any reason you need to change the alias email name that you use for everything, it can easily be deleted and another one created.

The only way your email name can be spoofed is for the spoofer to obtain it from someplace where you used it. This could be almost anywhere including from others that know it. Just opening an email with a picture embedded in it can send your email address to someone you wouldn't normally want to have it. This is why it is a good idea to have pictures disabled in your email until you tell it you want to see them. Click HERE for an archived article discussing disabling pictures in email. 

Sometimes ISPs will delay sending or forwarding emails that have attachments to keep other emails from backing up when things are very busy. It is not a normal occurrence for one to send an email to themselves other than the rare occasion when they may be checking on an email setup. When that is done, it will not normally include an attachment. 

Also consider that when you send email to yourself, especially when it contains an attachment, that it is not unrealistic to assume that you are not in a hurry to receive it since it is apparent that you already have it. Also, it is not difficult for the ISP to immediately determine that the sender and receiver are the same and that it has an attachment.

It is less likely to be delayed if you were to send it to or from your alias email address, if you have one. 

Click HERE to view or download as a Microsoft Word document

Disclaimer:

The materials in this site are provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, I disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. I do not warrant that the functions contained in the materials on this site will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that any site or the servers that make such materials available are free of viruses, spyware, adware, or other harmful components, although all efforts have been made to assure that they are. I do not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the materials on this site in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise. You assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction. Applicable law may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.