Dangerous Email Rule in Outlook

[Guest]

When using the "Create Rules Wizard" in Outlook XP, it's possible to skip the
first item (select messages from sender X, or select messages with X in the
body or subject, etc.) and then select "permanently delete" as the action.
If a user applies this new rule to messages in the Inbox, then Outlook will
permanently delete ALL MESSAGES IN THE INBOX without further prompt.

There's no reason why a user would NOT select a condition in the first part
of the wizard and then try to apply a rule to that condition. It doesn't
make any sense and allowed me to permanently delete MONTHS of email from my
work account.

This is a ridiculous and dangerous flaw in the CreateRules wizard. Bad
programming. Fix it, please.

Thanks,

dikledoux

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[Vanguard]

When using the "Create Rules Wizard" in Outlook XP, it's possible to skip
the
first item (select messages from sender X, or select messages with X in
the
body or subject, etc.) and then select "permanently delete" as the action.
If a user applies this new rule to messages in the Inbox, then Outlook
will
permanently delete ALL MESSAGES IN THE INBOX without further prompt.

If you select no matching criteria, you get a popup alerting you that the
rule will apply to ALL incoming messages. Sure seems obvious that they ARE
alerting you and you must click on that dialog to continue defining the
rule. If you continue past the alert, that was YOUR choice.

There's no reason why a user would NOT select a condition in the first
part
of the wizard and then try to apply a rule to that condition. It doesn't
make any sense and allowed me to permanently delete MONTHS of email from
my
work account.

No wizard or security can completely circumvent a user's stupidity or their
decision to obviate that security. Yes, there is a good reason to apply a
rule against every incoming message. Maybe a user wants to move all
incoming mails into a different folder than the Inbox.

This is a ridiculous and dangerous flaw in the CreateRules wizard. Bad
programming. Fix it, please.

YOUR screw up, not Outlook's. It did what YOU told it to. It DID give you
a warning which YOU choose to ignore. No software can circumvent all stupid
mistakes made by users and still remain usable software for the rest of us.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

There are many valid reasons why you would want the rule to apply to all
mail and before using a delete rule (or a even a move rule) you should
always test it by setting categories or flags first.

 

[Brian Tillman]

There's no reason why a user would NOT select a condition in the
first part of the wizard and then try to apply a rule to that
condition.

You're wrong, of course.