Can You Get a Virus From Opening an Email?
Did you know there are more than a billion pieces of malware in existence? With more and more people spending time online, that number looks set to increase.
Email is one of the key sources of a virus. But many people are wondering: can you get a virus from opening an email? If so, do I have to be careful about opening any message that appears in my inbox?
If you’re looking to learn about how to stay safe when opening emails, read on. We’ve put this article together to help you understand how different types of email viruses work and how you can keep yourself protected.
Viruses by Email
Emails are a common source of viruses. They come in the form of attachments and links.
These viruses are extremely dangerous. They can steal your personal information, putting you at risk of identity fraud and potentially losing money. Or your device could be damaged, requiring expensive repair work or even full replacement.
In some cases, viruses can take control of your account. If you fall for one of these malicious links, it could be your email account that sends out viruses to friends and family members in the future.
Clicking on an attachment downloads a file that has been sent to you by email. While friends and family might send you pictures or videos, bad actors online will send attachments carefully disguised as something legitimate.
Can You Get a Virus From Opening an Email?
In short, no. This may have been possible in the past, but with modern computer scripting, simply opening an email won’t put you at risk.
Still, if you see an email from an obviously malicious source, it’s better to delete it right away. By opening it, there’s a chance you could accidentally click on the link or attachment contained in the file.
Remember that the sender of the email may not be who they claim to be. Some accounts are in disguise, while others are stolen from their original owner. Be sure to exercise diligence at all times.
Protecting Yourself
Even though you can’t get a virus just from opening an email, you can still receive one through an attachment or link.
You need to protect yourself. Keep your anti-virus and firewall systems up to date, and consider investing in a secure email service. If you want to learn more about how a secure email service can help you, view this site.
Stay Alert!
Staying safe online is mostly about staying alert. When you get an email from an unknown sender, ask yourself if they have a good reason to be sending an attachment or link. Err on the side of caution, and you should be able to stay safe.
We hope we answered the question, “can you get a virus from opening an email?” If you’d like to read more content along the same lines, you won’t have to look far. Check out our blog, where there are dozens more articles waiting for you to enjoy.
