An email virus is a harmful computer code which is usually sent as an email note attachment or as a link to another site. It becomes harmful if it is activated and may lead to the loss of information or data stored on the computer hard disk. An email virus would probably look like this:

• It would be from someone who you do not know.
• It would include information that you never asked for or requested and most importantly, it will include an attachment or a link.

When you log into your email account and receive an email in your inbox, make sure the email is from someone that you know and check the subject of the email before opening. If you feel that the email is suspicious, then the best thing to do is to delete the email before you open it. If you have already opened the email then avoid downloading or clicking on the attachments.

Types of email viruses
Email viruses are of different types. The cybercriminals work vigorously to boost their malicious email messages and tactics of email hacking, accompanying malware. If your email client is opened to scripting, then your system would get infected once you open the message or the email that has been sent to you. Following are the different type of email viruses that you should be aware of.

• Email spam
  Email spams are messages that are considered unsolicited and unwanted. These emails usually spread malware through the attachments or hyperlinks in the message which gives permission to phishing or other sites hosting malware and spyware.
• Virus hoax
  A virus hoax is a fake warning sent to the users of a non-existing computer virus threat. The message is usually sent through a spam email which coaxes the receivers to forward the email to everyone they know. Most virus hoaxes are sensational in nature, so they can be easily identified by the virus claiming to do impossible acts. One of the types of virus hoax deletes all the data on the user’s PC and attacks the entire system altogether.
• Macro Viruses
  A macro virus is a computer code virus that infects the Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or similar applications. It essentially sets off a series of actions which are set to be performed robotically when the app is opened or if something else activates it. The macro virus tends to be relatively harmless. The problem is this functionality gives the macro virus a lot of power over your computer using a malicious code.
• Spambot
  It is a program designed to harvest or collect email addresses of unknown people from the Internet and create a mailing list for sending spam or unsolicited messages. Though it is usually broadcasted through email, they contribute in collecting valid email addresses to be used for distribution of virus through email.

Best way to stop email viruses
If you have a well-built antivirus software, then its features protect your system from all virus and threats that may seem infectious. The tools may help scan and remove potential threats from attacking your system, and if you have time to keep track of the different virus and worms you could reduce the influence of phishing.

In case if you do not have the time to control it, you can simply delete the spam messages. So, the easiest way to prevent email virus and other malicious software is to update your system regularly. Email virus can prevent you from the update so it is recommended to set it up automatically so you will not miss out on any important updates.

Make sure that you download files only from the reliable websites and trustworthy content. Avoid clicking ”ok” or agree straight away to close any suspicious windows.