ARCHIVED: At IU, how can I protect my computer from an email attachment infected with a virus?

Use antivirus software

The most important thing you can do to protect your computer from viruses is use antivirus/security software.

Handle attachments wisely

Email attachments are frequently the culprits in virus attacks. To protect yourself from viruses transmitted through email attachments:

• Don't open any attachment you were not expecting, even if it comes from a trusted source, such as a family member, co-worker, or friend.
• If you do not know the sender of a message that includes an attachment, delete the message without reading it.
• Do not open any attached file ending in .exe, .vbs, or .lnk.
• Never open an attachment without verifying that it's virus free. To open an attachment, first save it to your hard drive and then scan it with antivirus software, such as Microsoft Security Essentials. For help, consult your antivirus program's help documentation.