That is how OE works. JPG, GIF and BMP graphics automatically show a copy
after the text of a message. They are usually of no security concern. If you
want to eliminate seeing them, you have two choices.

To prevent graphic attachments to be automatically displayed in messages you
receive, either set to read in Plain Text, or see:

Outlook Express Slide Show OE5, OE6
http://www.fjsmjs.com/OE/slideshow.htm
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA


"Kate" wrote in message
...
Sometimes I get emails with jpeg attachments and when I open them the
images are displayed below the text. This applies to attachments in
binary newsgroups, as well. I know that jpeg attachments can be
dodgy, so what I would like to know is, if the images appear below the
email or post, are the files actually opened, or is it that only by
double-clicking the file attachment and opening them that way could
they create a potential danger?

I use AVG Free (without email scanner) and thought that I could
right-click an email or post in OE before opening it and I would have
the option to Scan with AVG just to make sure, but this is not the
case, unfortunately. I can scan with AVG if I save emails or posts to
Desktop before opening it, but would any infection they may contain be
released by the "save as" action, please? It seems unlikely, but I
thought I would ask...

Thank you
Kate