I want my emails to be read, but I don't want everybody to read my emails. With email one of the media most easily ignored, the former is a bit of luck. At least Outlook Express provides a simple and mild, but not entirely ineffective method to prevent others from accessing the emails stored in my folders.
If you protect your Outlook Express identity with a password, this does not guarantee that a determined snooper won't be able to take a look at your Inbox, but it will deter and lock out passers-by and lookers-on. To really protect your emails, make sure you have a good Windows password and your Outlook Express store folder encrypted if you use Windows 2000 or later.

Protect Your Email in Outlook Express with a Password

• Select File - Identities - Manage Identities from the menu.
• Highlight your identity.
• Click Properties.
• Make sure Require a password is checked.
• Type the desired password under New Password and Confirm New Password.
• Click OK.
• Click OK again.
• Finally, select Close.