21. I've got an email attachment I don't recognise...

This is a common but important issue. In most cases, your email server or Internet Service Provider will scan emails, to prevent you being put at risk by viruses and other malware (see FAQ 12). Don't, however, rely on third parties for this important function: you should have your own anti-virus application installed on your own computer. You should also have it set to scan emails as they arrive, before you open them.

Attachments arriving with emails are a significant security risk. They are a popular method for transmitting and distributing viruses and other computer malware.

It is important that you have an up-to-date anti-virus program, which scans your emails and neutralises harmful attachments.

Always treat any email attachments as suspicious, even if they come from inside your organisation, or from other people you know. if you don’t recognise the sender of the email or if it is a file with an unusual name or extension, be doubly cautious.

Save the attachment in a temporary folder on your hard disk. You can then use your anti-virus software to check that it isn't a threat.

If you are then confident that it is harmless, double click it with your left mouse button and it will either open automatically or it will ask you which application should be used to open it.

If you have any doubt, click the “Cancel” button and contact our helpdesk for further advice.

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