Is This Email Message Legit?

Email and email attachments can sometimes contain computer viruses or links to phishing websites. Before you trust an email message, follow these steps to verify it is safe.

1. Install and Update an Antivirus Program

Make sure you have an antivirus program installed that can scan email attachments. Keep it updated regularly so it can catch the latest threats. New viruses appear every day, so automatic updates are essential.

2. Check the Sender's Address

Verify that you recognize the person or organization that sent the message and that the email address looks legitimate. A message from an unknown sender is not necessarily dangerous, but proceed with caution before opening anything inside it.

3. Look at the Subject Line

Check the subject line for suspicious language such as gibberish, urgent demands, or instructions to open an attachment or click a link. Some viruses can spoof legitimate email addresses, and a suspicious subject line is often your first warning sign.

4. Scan Attachments Before Opening

If the message has an attachment, scan it with your antivirus program before opening it. If the attachment is an executable file (.exe, .bat, .zip) that you were not expecting, delete the message without opening the attachment.

5. Verify With the Sender Directly

If the message appears to come from someone you know but you were not expecting it, or something about it seems off, send a new separate email to that person to confirm they actually sent it. Do not reply to the suspicious email itself.