Theos-Talk Archives (June 2001 Message tt00013)

There is no way for a virus to get to your hard drive and damage files by 
merely opening and reading e-mail. Viruses, Trojan horses and worms can only 
infect if an attached file is downloaded to your drive. Also most viruses on 
the Internet (usually ending in .exe, or .zip) are designed to infect PCs 
(IBM clones) using Windows, and cannot infect Macintosh. Although some files 
with endings such as .doc, .pdf, .gif, .jpg, etc., can contain a virus for 
either or both platforms. 

It is wise not to download any attached files from senders you do not know. 
Also, in the event a friendly file might contain a virus, it is wise to have 
a good virus detecting program equipped with the latest monthly updates. This 
program's preferences or control panel should be set to scan for viruses on 
downloading any file from the Internet.

LHM 


In a message dated 06/01/01 3:19:55 PM, compiler@wisdomworld.org writes:

>Frank, please clarify: Did you mean to say "Don't open the email" or did
>you meant to say: "Don't open the attachment", as Eldon explained it. I
>ask because I did open the automatic email that came, but as always, I
>ALWAYS dump any emails that I open and see an "Attachment" included. I
>never open the attchment.
>
>To conclude: Am I now infected simply because I opened the email, even
>though I did not open the attachment?
>
>John DeSantis
>(Compiler)