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How do I know if an email attachment is a virus?

Author

Andrew Vasquez

Updated on March 03, 2026

How do I know if an email attachment is a virus?

How to scan email attachments for virus online
  1. Save the suspected mail as attachment.
  2. Create a new email.
  3. In the “To” field, type scan@virustotal.com.
  4. If you want the Virus Total Online Scanner results in plain text, write SCAN in the subject line; if you need an XML version too, write SCAN+XML in the subject line.

Likewise, people ask, how do I know if an attachment is safe?

You can tell if an email attachment is safe by assessing the file extension. A file extension is the three letters that follow the period at the end of the file name. Microsoft has classified several types of dangerous extensions; however, only a few are considered safe.

Also, what is malicious email attachments? Malicious email attachments are designed to launch an attack on a users computer. The attachments within these malicious emails can be disguised as documents, PDFs, e-files, and voicemails. Attackers attach these files to email that can install malware capable of destroying data and stealing information.

Furthermore, can email attachments contain viruses?

While email attachments are a popular and convenient way to send documents, they are also a common source of viruses. Use caution when opening attachments, even if they appear to have been sent by someone you know.

When you get an attachment in an email what is the safest thing to do?

#1 – Don't Engage With The Unfamiliar

This is especially important to remember when you don't recognize or trust the sender, and when you're not expecting to receive an attachment. It's a best practice to not open attachments you aren't expecting.

How can you tell if an attachment is a virus?

To check a file attachment for a virus, you'll need to first save the file to your computer and then scan the file with antivirus software. Please note, saving a file that contains a virus won't harm your computer; only opening a file that contains a virus can potentially harm your computer.

What is the only safe file type for an email attachment?

Files that are strictly data only are generally safer to deal with as an email attachment than executable files. These files include common audio and video file extensions such as . mp3, . wav, or .

Which email attachments are high risk?

Resolution. File attachments in email are common threat vectors for malware. Executable files are not the only file type that can include threats. For example, Microsoft Office documents (e.g. doc, docx, xlx, xlsx, ppt, pptx, etc) can contain macros or scripts that include threats.

Can opening an attachment cause a virus?

Can I get a virus by reading my email messages? Most viruses, Trojan horses, and worms are activated when you open an attachment or click a link contained in an email message. If your email client allows scripting, then it is possible to get a virus by simply opening a message.

What email attachments could cause a cyber incident?

Malicious email attachments are an increasingly dangerous threat to corporate security. Disguised as documents, voicemails, e-faxes or PDFs, malicious email attachments are designed to launch an attack on the victim's computer when the attachment is opened.

Is it safe to open a PDF attachment in an email?

There are a lot of malicious emails out there and you may be a recipient of one containing a malicious attachment (even a "plain old" PDF). As a precaution, never open email attachments of any form especially from unknown senders.

Can opening a PDF give you a virus?

Fortunately, those who are simply viewing a PDF, or Portable Document Format, file aren't vulnerable. The virus spreads only by way of Adobe's Acrobat software--the program used to create PDF documents--not through Acrobat Reader, the free program that is used to view the files.

Can you get malware from a PDF?

Though not always vulnerable and infected but some PDFs can have virus or another hidden malware. Being the most common email attachment, PDF is commonly targeted to breach computer networks. Advanced forms of PDF malware are not easily detectable by Secure EMail gateways.

Can a JPEG contain a virus?

There's a bit of a myth that JPEG files can't contain viruses. This isn't true. JPEG files can contain a virus. However, for the virus to be activated the JPEG file needs to be 'executed', or run.

How do I stop email viruses?

TIPS TO AVOID EMAIL VIRUSES
  1. Do not open emails that have bad grammar, incomplete sentences or have an anonymous sender address.
  2. Do not open attachments that are suspicious, unsolicited or are received from an unknown source.
  3. Avoid opening attachments ending in .exe.
  4. Make sure you have a backup of your system.

How do I get rid of a virus in my email?

If your PC has a virus, following these ten simple steps will help you to get rid of it:
  1. Step 1: Download and install a virus scanner.
  2. Step 2: Disconnect from internet.
  3. Step 3: Reboot your computer into safe mode.
  4. Step 4: Delete any temporary files.
  5. Step 5: Run a virus scan.
  6. Step 6: Delete or quarantine the virus.

How do you tell if a PDF has a virus?

How can I tell if a PDF file I was sent contains a Virus? One way to determine whether a PDF file you were sent is infected by a virus is by uploading the file to VirusTotal. The results from VirusTotal are not 100% accurate so you need to be cautious. There is also PDF Examiner.

Can a .DOC file have a virus?

These macro viruses can infect Word files as well as any other application that uses a programming language. Unlike operating system viruses, macro viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents and templates. One or more of them may be part of a macro virus that has infected your system.

Can I get hacked by opening an email?

This routine activity provides a gateway for malicious hackers to take control of your computer. By simply opening or clicking a link in an email you can have your passwords changed, bank accounts hacked and identity stolen.

How do I scan an email for malware?

You can get your emails scanned online for viruses through scan@virustotal.com. The virus total scans the attachment with different anti-malware software, and sends back as a response to your email. The information relayed back to you will come with results the attachment received from various antivirus programs.

Which is an example of a weaponized attachment?

Weaponized documents are an example of attacks that can come from a web download, a shared drive or a file attached to a legitimate looking email. The files can be weaponized to mask the simultaneous install of remote access software like TeamViewer or LogMeIn.

Can a PDF file cause a cyber incident?

Yes it can.

Whether a file is malicious or not, does not depend on the file extension (in this case PDF). So for example, PDF reader that you are using potentially contains a buffer overflow vulnerability, then an attacker can construct a special PDF file to exploit that vulnerability.

Is malware malicious?

Malware is the collective name for a number of malicious software variants, including viruses, ransomware and spyware. Shorthand for malicious software, malware typically consists of code developed by cyberattackers, designed to cause extensive damage to data and systems or to gain unauthorized access to a network.

Why can I not open email attachments?

Do not open email attachments from an unknown, suspicious, or untrustworthy source. If you're not familiar with the sender, do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Do not open an email attachment unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a friend or someone you know.

What should you do if you receive something that is unexpected?

Following are four ways to survive unexpected stress, and maybe even come out ahead:
  1. Pause before you act. There is a huge difference between a reaction and a response.
  2. Don't assume that the things you don't want are bad.
  3. Plan for everything to turn out well.
  4. Trust in your ability to be OK.

What happens if you open a phishing email on your phone?

Clicking on phishing link May install malware on your phone and can leak private and confidential information from your phone. If you suspect something of this sort has happened disconnect your phone from the internet backup all essential Data and do a factory reset of your phone.

How do I password protect an attachment in an email?

Follow the steps below to apply a password to a document:
  1. Click the File tab.
  2. Click Info.
  3. Click Protect Document, and then click Encrypt with Password.
  4. In the Encrypt Document box, type a password, and then click OK.
  5. In the Confirm Password box, type the password again, and then click OK.

What happens when you open an attachment?

Protecting Yourself From Attachments

Opening unverified files attached to emails can be dangerous. These files can easily infect your computer with viruses or malware.