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How Email Attachments Can Be A Threat to PC Security

Several news in the past have shown how, in isolated cases, regular mails can be quite dangerous. There were some letter and package bombs which exploded when opened. Anthrax, which made quite a stir some years back, poses the same danger.

Such cases are not exclusive to regular mails. Threats, although not in the same form, may also be encountered in emails. Given this, it is important that one takes special care as well in opening any of these, especially those with attachments.

What is common between a regular mail and an email when it comes to this matter is that senders of unsolicited mails often use return addresses which appear familiar. It may be similar to the home address or email address of someone you know and they often create subject lines which are attention grabbing. This is one form of social engineering which, if not properly employed, is quite dangerous.

Viruses and worms can easily be passed through email. These are often the contents of unusual email attachments. To prevent you from getting any of these, here are some criteria that you can follow before opening and reading an email:

•     The email must come from a person you personally know. If you are unsure of the name, you might as well not open it. A valid email from someone you know would not be in such a mysterious form.

•     If you are expecting emails from third parties who you do not personally know, open their email only if you have already received a legitimate one from them before.

•     Emails with attachments are often solicited or at least predicted. Should you receive one which you do not exactly expect and is coming from someone suspicious, do not open it.

•     Check if the subject line corresponds well to the email attachments. If the subject itself is unclear and senseless, you may delete the email instead.

In addition, to check if the email contains any virus, install and use an anti-virus program. This safeguards you from virus threats that are so prevalent nowadays.

In another perspective, as you employ these criteria before opening and reading emails, make sure that you also fulfill them as you yourself send emails. Of course, you would want your messages to be received and read by your target recipient so ensure that they do not appear suspicious.

These forms of threat, although extremely disturbing, can be successfully controlled with extra caution. Always be on the lookout and do not trust easily.