Does opening an E-Mail cause the virus?

Question

Say I get an E-mail with a virus inside. When I click that E-mail am I getting the virus? or is it when I open the attachment or open the link(if there is one)?

Answer 1

If you will open the mail, virus would definitely come. So the best option is to keep an email virus scanner which will scan all the files and will delete it. Scan your mails before you open them. This will eliminate the chances of virus coming on your system.

Answer 2

It depends on the email and how it is designed.

most virus emails need for you to touch the link, however some emails all you need to do is open the email, because that opens up your computer to what ever is in that email. If you see an email from an address you don't recognize I would not answer it. Also In case you get an email to change your face book that says it will help you change your password but you never asked face book to send you that email don't open it. That is one of the recent virus's going around. Hope I could be of HLP

Answer 3

Yes, The virus can get on your computer either way, it depends on what kind of virus..

It can get on your computer by simply clicking the e-mail, or opening a link to it

Hope that solved your question!

Answer 4

you won't. That is why you should have an antivirus program in your computer monitoring all of the incoming information to make sure that it is "clean"for your machine. Viruses come in by other means too (as they can hitch a ride on the back of a program you download into your machine.) It is something you can't see. No different than you catching the "flu" from somebody. He didn't look sick but he was carrying the bug - and it was magically passed onto you because you didn't get a flu shot to protect yourself now you got it and it is making you "run" crappy. Better to get the anti virus protection before you get the "bug" as some of those bugs are that bad as they won't allow you to download protection after you are infected.

Answer 5

If you have opened the gates of hell on your computer (disabled ALL security features) you could contract a virus just by opening it. Since however you would get tons of warnings before you reach that state and have to be pretty computer literate to achieve that, I would say it is impossible to get infected just by opening the email.

Answer 6

When you click the link or open the attatchment

Answer 7

yea especially if you open a link...my rule of thumb is that if i dont know who sent the email i just delete it without looking at it...better be safe than sorry..

Answer 8

if threrz an attachment itz prolly that if not then just the email

Answer 9

i have heard that is true a while a go i read that so i think it is true