Should You Open Dodgy Emails?

You should never open such files, even if they come from someone you know. Your computer or mobile device can get infected by just clicking the attachment, let alone downloading additional content from it. That doesn't mean that all files are potentially dangerous.

Can you get hacked just by opening an email?

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 happens if you open a dodgy email?

Clicking on a phishing link or opening an attachment in one of these messages may install malware, like viruses, spyware or ransomware, on your device. This is all done behind the scenes, so it is undetectable to the average user.