Many viruses find entry into your computer system via email attachments and they can wreak havoc if left unchecked. Here, you will find some simple email virus removal tips which ensure that such virus threats do not spread to your computer.
A computer connected to the Internet is vulnerable to all kinds of computer viruses ranging from trojans, worms, keyloggers, to all malware programs, which are created with the singular aim of compromising your system.
Hackers keep on inventing newer ways of gaining entry into computer systems, to compromise their security and use its resources.
Every external contact point of the computer, through which data is imported or exported is a potential entry point for a virus. One of the most favorite hacking tricks is sending computer viruses as email attachments which can infect the computer when downloaded.
About Email Viruses
Electronic mail is one of the most efficient and fastest communication channels. It is also one of the most potent channels for virus infection. Millions of people become victims of computer viruses sent as email attachments.
Emails sent by hackers are typically disguised as lottery winning announcements with attachments to be downloaded or designed in such a way, that the receiver will be tempted to download the attachment to computer.
On download, the viruses become active and spread over the system, compromising its security. Before the user even understands what’s happening, his system is already hacked. People who download their emails to their computers using email clients like Microsoft Outlook can also fall prey to infection by viruses, spreading through attachments.
A second kind of problem that many email users face is hacking of their accounts. Their email account password is hacked and it’s used to send emails, with virus attachments to their contacts.
Email Virus Removal Tips
There are many ways in which you can fight this computer virus menace and make sure that your data and your computing resources are effectively protected. Here are some simple ways in which you can effectively get rid of email viruses.
Use an Antivirus Software With Email Scan
The best way of cleaning up an email virus from your computer is through the usage of special antivirus software that comes with an email scan filter. There are many free and paid antivirus software program that can effectively clean up your computer through a complete system scan.
Just make sure that the program is updated regularly and has a real time detection feature which will isolate and remove the virus as soon as it is detected on your computer. Also make sure that your computer system’s firewall is always turned on when you are using the Internet.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Avoid downloading suspicious email attachments, sent by strangers. In fact, don’t download any kind of email attachments, unless it is sent by a trusted source. If you follow this discipline, you will save yourself from most virus infections.
Change Your Email Account Password & Security Information
If your friends report emails being automatically sent from your account, know that it has been hacked. Log in to your account and change the password, as well as security information to stop the hacker from taking further advantage of your account.
Use Email Services With Virus & Spam Filters
Use secure email services like those offered by Gmail or Yahoo, which provide strong spam filters and run an antivirus scan on email attachment downloads, before they are saved on your computer.
As mentioned before, make it a point not to download any email attachments with suspicious content and particularly the ones sent by strangers. Mark such emails as spam and delete them immediately. If emails are being automatically sent from your account, the only way to stop it, is to change your password and security details.