Reference number: CH000919

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

Question:

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

Answer:

Simply 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, and/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. A listing of available antivirus programs can be found on document CH000514.

Additional information:

• See our e-mail and virus dictionary definitions for additional information about each of these terms.