Can I get a virus when I read my e-mail?

Question

Can I get a virus when I read my e-mail?

Answer

reading an e-mail message will not infect your computer with a virus or other malware. Computer viruses, Trojans, and other malware infects your computer when an e-mail attachment is ran from an e-mail.

If while reading an e-mail you double-click, run, or save any attachment and that attachment is infected with a virus your computer will then become infected.

Even if you have no intentions of running or opening attachments that are sent to you through e-mail we still strongly suggest all users have an antivirus protection program on their computer.

Additional information

  • See the e-mail and virus definitions for further information and related links.
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