Opening attachments from an unknown source can result in your PC being infected with viruses that will crash it or send out the virus to everyone in your address book. Better to never open attachments from sources you don't know, a good anti-virus program like NORTON is also a plus to have installed on your PC. A virus can result in lost documents.
IP Logging
A hacker or snoop may also log your IP address using an image or iframe or HTML mail or by persuading you to click on a link.
"Phishing"
Phishing is another risk, whereby a malicious hacker will trick you into logging into a site you use to steal your personal information such as your log in details, credit card numbers, pay-pal account details, eBay account, banking information or more.
Key-loggers
Key-loggers are a favorite tool among password thieves and credit card thieves, which is why you should never enter your credit card number directly into any site, but rather use the mouse to mix up the numbers... A keylogger logs your keystrokes and later a malicious hacker or information thief can read your keystrokes to uncover sites you visit, your login details and passwords.
By using virus detection program or by not downloading or opening the attachment.
Opening attachments from an unknown source can result in your PC being infected with viruses that will crash it or send out the virus to everyone in your address book. Better to never open attachments from sources you don't know, a good anti-virus program like NORTON is also a plus to have installed on your PC. a virus can result in lost documents.
worms, viruses, and Trojan horses packets that are destined by malevolent hackers to harm your PC.
There are many precautions you will need to observe when receiving emails regarding viruses. Those emails can actually harm your computer and infect your hard drive with a virus. This is also known as spoof email. It is advised to delete any email you are not familiar with and scan attachments or emails prior to opening them.
Some email attachments contain viruses and can damage your computer and your data. You need to maintain good internet security practices and be extremenly caution about opening attachments which you are not expecting, or when you have doubts about the origins, or the sender.
limits of viruses on the internet
it could be overun with viruses
Computer viruses can be attached to e-mail messages, address books, and attachments.
They carry viruses that can harm your computer
You should be careful when opening e-mail attachments because they can contain viruses, E-mail providers such as GoogleMail, Hotmail, BTInternet and other such providers have built in Anti-Virus that scan the attachment before it is sent and before you open it. You should also conduct your own Virus scan to the folder. Hope this has helped.
Some attachments may contain harmful viruses, which could infect your computer. To avoid getting a virus, only open/download attachments from reliable sources, which you are expecting to be sent to you.
Scanning all email attachments with anti-virus software will help prevent downloading viruses and other malicious code