This content covers features introduced in Thunderbird 3
In versions of Thunderbird prior to 3 the cookie policy was very restrictive (to RSS only). Thunderbird 3 uses the Gecko cookie policy with some changes.
- Any non-mailnews url/location has cookies enabled, e.g., remote content.
- Remote content in emails will be able to use cookies, but only if the user chooses to accept view remote content on the email.
- Viewing RSS feed items as web pages allows cookies.
These are all subject to the Gecko cookie policy allowing the cookies based on its internal policies and the user's preferences.
Risks
The new cookie policy could pose dangers or risks in the following areas or ways:
- Allows emails to associate cookies with email addresses
- <img src="http://tracker.net/?email=you@example.com">, tracker.net sets a cookie, later page views read the cookie and email address/profile
- Scenario: nytimes.com sends daily news per mail with embedded web bug, and from then on tracks all RSS reads with email address/identity.
References