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Email Sending Virus: Spam Infects You

Email sending virus-If you know what file extension are then remember this always when opening your mailbox. Any file with extensions
.pif, .exe, .com, .vbs, .vb, .bat, .bin, .dot, .reg, .js, .jse, .scr(Trojans), .wmz, .ocx, .wsf, .wmf are dangerous files do not open such attachment if you are not sure. In case you do not know what extensions are just do not open any files if you are not sure who the sender is. Also if you find too many extensions do not open the file. For Example it may look like letter.txt.exe or personal.doc.vbs.

Email Client Configuration

Another means of infection is the configuration of your email client. Under any circumstance do not allow any program to "automatically download and run any email attachments". It may contain viruses that can damage your PC. Also many email clients allow MIME extensions allowing others to encrypt and embed files and send it. Opening files from a sender you do not know can also give you an infection.

For most cases it is your email client that you use that cause the most problems. The latest email virus the recent KAK virus (JS/Kak, WScript.Kak, Kakworm, VBS/Kak) exploited a problem in the email client MS-Outlook signatures to spread. This used an ActiveX flaw and spread. Nimda activated on some machines by itself and is a combination of a mass mailer worm and virus.

Damage

Email viruses destroy and damage files on computer systems. Most viruses and Trojans are used now-a-days to get financial information that is stored on the computer. Like password and credit card information. Email's are the easiest way to download Trojans which is then used by crooks to obtain personal information. Some email viruses are capable of producing bulk email or spam by sending itself to all the others that are in your address book. The damage can be extensive and cause a denial of service attack on any email server.

Prevention

Email virus detection and email virus protection in the form or email filters are many. Spoofing is used to bypass these filters. Prevention is better than cure and the best way to prevent being infected is
  • Do not open any mail from people you do not know.
  • Do not open any mail that looks suspicious. Even, if you get, a 'mail bounce back', when you have not sent a mail.
  • Do not open any attachments if it contains any of the extensions detailed above. Do not open files that have extensions that you do not know about.
  • Better not to use an email client. Even if you are using one see that you are able to see the extensions of filenames downloaded. Also disable the signature and auto run features that are exploited by some viruses.
  • Get a spam filter or activate it with your mail server such that it filters out spam. Since some spam contain Trojans and viruses that can cause damage.
  • Be careful of any file even from known sources run and antivirus scan before attempting to open the document or file.

Removal

  • Removal of the virus is best done by getting an antivirus and running it
  • Also regularly update your antivirus as statistics show that one virus is generated every three minutes.
  • Get you computer scanned online by a reputed antivirus scanner like PC-Cillin or Bit defender.
  • In case of new viruses look up alerts and find out ways used to prevent and remove such email viruses.
Over the years quite a few email viruses have turned out to be hoaxes; a search for hoaxes email viruses would turn up with some interesting results. One interesting hoax is the invitation email virus. It says do not open any email with an attached file named invitation. The warning is that the attachment opens an "Olympic Torch" that will burn the whole hard disk. This is untrue but the hoax was very popular and spread rapidly. Just be ever vigilant for any email virus and check out antivirus websites for alerts and hoaxes before passing on any warning.

Related Articles
Some Viruses can Crash you PC. Check out the Types of Viruses
Lured into the Trap you may be Infected with a Trojan Horse Virus
Popular Email Viruses and the Effect They Had on the Internet
Macros: Better Applications or Worse Viruses

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