Remove All Email Addresses When Forwarding a Message GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Email, Messaging, & Video Calls > Email
Why You Should Remove Email Addresses in a Forwarded Message
Deleting addresses increases privacy and security
By Heinz Tschabitscher Heinz Tschabitscher Writer University of Vienna A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 21, 2020 Tweet Share Email Reza Estakhrian / Getty Images Tweet Share Email Email Yahoo! Mail Gmail Removing the contact information from forwarded email messages is a matter of privacy, security, and courtesy. But, because most email programs, when forwarding, insert header information, including the "To" and "Cc" fields, by default, you may be inadvertently sharing the contact information of people who would rather not have their email addresses publicized. What Happens When You Do Not Remove Addresses
Not removing the addresses on a forwarded email has one advantage. Everyone who receives the message knows who already sent and received it, so there's no need to send it to those recipients again. However, including all header information, including email addresses, also has overwhelming disadvantages. First, the message looks messy and, often, the actual content is buried beneath all the header information. Second, you're sharing email addresses with third parties without the consent of their owners. This concern should be understandable if you, yourself, wouldn't want your email address given to people you don't know. How to Remove Email Addresses When You Forward a Message
Cleaning up an email can involve several steps but, in general, you should highlight email addresses and other unnecessary information, then use the Delete key to remove them. If you forward the message as an attachment, you might need to take extra steps to move addressees' information. Remember to take a few seconds to make this extra effort, as removing email addresses when forwarding a message is courteous to everyone involved. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Forward an Email as an Attachment in Outlook How to Indent Text or Decrease Quote Level in iPhone Mail How to Forward a Text Message to Email How to Recover Missing Emails in Gmail How to Forward Outlook Mail to Another Email Address Learn How to Properly Redirect an Email in Outlook How to Forward a Message With Outlook How to Load Images in a Message in Evolution Forward Multiple Emails Individually in Outlook How to Set up Your Hotmail Signature in Outlook.com How to Forward Multiple Emails in Gmail How to Schedule an Email in Gmail 10 Best Free Email Accounts for 2022 How to Find Someone on Facebook Using an Email Address How to Save Contact Information From an iPhone Email How to Send Group Emails on Your iPhone or iPad Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies