Outlook 2003 a program is trying to automatically send email on your behalf

The infamous "A program is trying to automatically send an email on your behalf" warning in Outlook 2003!

This warning is a security feature in Outlook 2003 that alerts you when a program or add-in is trying to send an email on your behalf without your explicit consent. This is a good thing, as it helps prevent malicious programs from sending spam or malware-infected emails without your knowledge.

Here are some possible reasons why you're seeing this warning:

  1. Add-ins or plugins: An add-in or plugin installed in Outlook 2003 is trying to send an email. This could be a legitimate add-in, such as a newsletter subscription service or a CRM tool, or a malicious one.
  2. VBA macros: A Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro is trying to send an email. VBA macros are scripts that can be embedded in Outlook 2003 templates or add-ins.
  3. Outlook rules: An Outlook rule is trying to send an email based on specific conditions, such as moving a message to a specific folder or sending a reply to a specific sender.

To resolve this issue, you can try the following:

  1. Check the add-ins: Go to Tools > Options > Other > Advanced and click on the "Manage COM Add-ins" button. Disable any add-ins that you don't recognize or don't need.
  2. Disable VBA macros: Go to Tools > Options > Other > Advanced and uncheck the box next to "Enable macros".
  3. Review Outlook rules: Go to Tools > Rules and Alerts and review the rules that are set up. Disable or delete any rules that you don't need or that are causing the issue.
  4. Check for malware: Run a full scan with your antivirus software to ensure that your system is free from malware.
  5. Update Outlook: Make sure you're running the latest version of Outlook 2003. Microsoft often releases patches and updates that address security issues and bugs.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking assistance from a Microsoft support professional or a qualified IT expert.