The consensus among email marketers, deliverability experts, and technical documentation providers is overwhelmingly against including direct .exe download links in emails. This is primarily due to security risks, the likelihood of emails being blocked by spam filters, and potential damage to sender reputation. The recommended alternative is to host the .exe file on a secure webpage, cloud storage service, or landing page, and then provide a link to that location within the email. This approach enhances security, builds trust with recipients, improves deliverability, and enables better tracking of downloads.
10 marketer opinions
Including direct .exe download links in emails is widely discouraged due to security risks, spam filters, and potential damage to sender reputation. Email marketers and deliverability experts strongly recommend hosting the executable file on a secure webpage or cloud storage service and providing a link in the email instead. This approach builds trust with recipients, improves deliverability rates, and allows for better tracking of downloads.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SuperOffice advises against sending executable files due to security risks and spam filters. Suggests alternatives like linking to the file hosted on a secure website.
6 Oct 2021 - SuperOffice
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailToolTester warns against using executable attachments due to security concerns and suggests using cloud storage links as a more secure alternative.
3 Aug 2021 - EmailToolTester
4 expert opinions
Experts overwhelmingly advise against including direct .exe download links in emails due to the high likelihood of being blocked, modified, or stripped by email systems. This is driven by security concerns related to malware and viruses. The recommended alternative is to use a landing page to host the file. A landing page offers several benefits, including the ability to track downloads, provide installation instructions, support multiple platforms, optionally require authentication, and provide file integrity verification via hashes.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states that including a .exe file in an email is very bad and likely to get blocked, modified, or stripped before reaching the inbox. Also mentions file size limitations.
3 Dec 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that, in general, systems are configured to block executables, and it is not a good idea to send .exe files via email due to the high risk of malware.
5 Jul 2023 - Word to the Wise
4 technical articles
Technical documentation from Microsoft, RFC Editor, OWASP, and IETF uniformly advises against including direct .exe download links in emails. This guidance is rooted in significant security concerns, including the potential for spreading malware and exploiting vulnerabilities. The recommended approach is to host the executable file on a trusted server and provide a download link via email. Avoiding direct inclusion of executables minimizes risks associated with malicious code distribution and helps maintain email security.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that many email clients block executable attachments due to security vulnerabilities and the potential for spreading malware. Hosting the file on a trusted server and providing a download link is advised.
21 Nov 2023 - Microsoft Support
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor recommends against transmitting executable content directly via email due to the inherent security risks involved with malicious code distribution.
20 Jun 2021 - RFC Editor
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