Is there any possible way that opening an email can be dangerous?

Question

People seem to be scared to death of opening up an unknown email. Assuming that you do not try to open or run an attachment is there any hazard in opening strange emails. I know that some spam have tracking graphics to see if you have read the mail but the worst thing that can happen is to let them know you exist. Does anyone know of a confirmed case of computer infection by just reading an email and if so please give me a reference?

Answer 1

If you use Outlook Express AND Internet Explorer 6, you are just asking for trouble.  95% of Windows Critical Updates relate to these two bug ridden, insecure applications.

Active X Controls, native to IE, can cause infections from simply opening a malicious Email.  Google for:

"Internet Explorer" "ActiveX exploits"

For example: