An email virus is still one of the easiest ways in. Attackers don’t need advanced exploits; a disguised attachment or a convincing link is often enough. A file posed as a form, a URL hidden under text, or code buried in the message body — one click can trigger an infection. From there, the virus may spread through connected systems, capture data, or open a backdoor that stays hidden for weeks. Effective email malware protection limits the damage before it escalates.
Basic filters stop the low-effort campaigns, but modern strains are built to get around them. Some rewrite themselves with each infection, making static signatures useless. Others ride on zero-day flaws, hitting systems before patches exist. Ransomware kits circulate freely, giving even inexperienced actors the tools to lock down a network.
This guide breaks down how email viruses spread, the tactics we’re seeing in 2025, and the defenses that matter most.
Can you get a virus by opening an email?
No, not if opening the email is the only action you take. Email providers know how to block messages that overtly carry malware scripts. However, by carelessly clicking on links, images, and attachments, you could let a concealed email virus into your system.
You can scrutinize the sender, subject, and topic of every message, and train to avoid clicking on anything, but when pitted against sophisticated cyberattacks and social engineering schemes, human error gets the best of us all, eventually. If we let our guard down, that’s when email malware protection comes in to provide an added layer of security.
Follow this guide to learn how an email virus spreads, why cybersecurity threats are evolving, and the best practices to defend against malware.
Most Common Ways Email Viruses Spread
It starts with an attachment, a link, or code hidden inside the email itself. When a user clicks on that attachment or link, the email virus activates. Once viruses get in, they quickly begin stealing sensitive information and damaging your system. Then, jumps from one networked device to another.
How do Hackers Send an Email Virus?
Hackers use a combination of social engineering and software tricks in an attempt to outwit your email virus defenses. These are their three main tactics:
- Phishing: Successful cybercriminals know how to disguise email virus scams as legitimate messages. Phishing attacks use personal details about their target and impersonate coworkers or family members to make the recipient lower their guard.
- Email Attachments: Attachments are dangerous because malicious software can be hidden in any file type. Hackers have been known to use PDFs, Word documents, ZIP archives, and executables (.exe, .js, .scr, etc.) for this purpose.
- Embedded Code: Hackers embed code within small images or HTML in the body of their messages. A misplaced click will trigger the email virus code to download spyware and malware on your device.
Effective email security tools can control the email settings that prevent infection. However, if an infection does penetrate an email system, its actions will vary based on its function. Some viruses operate covertly in the background, stealing sensitive data or logging keyboard input. Others appropriate system resources to degrade performance. Still others encrypt files to extort money or replicate over networks to infect additional systems.
Know the Most Advanced Types of Email Viruses in 2025
Hackers’ favorite bugs are always changing, so understanding how email malware protection works to defeat different viruses is the key to fighting them effectively. Below are six email virus types that hackers use today, their capabilities, and how to recognize them.
AI-Powered Polymorphic Viruses
Unlike traditional malware, computer viruses developed by AI evolve during every infection process by changing their code. This makes them harder to detect with traditional antivirus programs. A polymorphic AI email virus will evade static, signature-based defenses unless your email malware protection has dynamic threat intelligence that can identify these changing patterns.
Zero-Day Exploits
Hackers don’t wait for security holes to be patched. They attack these gaps with a specially tailored email virus as soon as they are discovered. Viruses that target zero-day exploits can be disguised as security updates. They often arrive as urgent business requests, and can target specific people or companies with frightening precision. Robust network security measures are essential to defend against such immediate threats to protect your business email security.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
Cybercriminals offer RaaS kits for cheap on the dark web, and email is their delivery method. RaaS kits often include customer support and dashboards, making them accessible even to low-skilled attackers. A single click on an attachment can lock down your system until you pay up. Comprehensive cyber attack prevention strategies are necessary to counteract ransomware services.
Smart Devices Need Email Malware Protection Too
Email virus security is often focused solely on computers, but don’t forget about the gadgets in your pocket or throughout your home. Some bugs are designed to exploit the "Internet of Things” (IoT), which includes smart cameras, thermostats, and even coffee makers.
Cybercriminals can use email to sneak malware into the management systems that run these devices, just like your desktop or laptop systems. If you assume a smart fridge can’t be hacked, think again. Be sure to address these vulnerable items when strengthening your network security.
Smarter Keyloggers
Keyloggers are classic spyware that work by capturing every keystroke you make. Hackers used to have to sift through every button tap to decipher your passwords, but now AI lets them automatically analyze the logged keystrokes. Repeating strings of passwords and credit card numbers are immediately revealed by this method. Keylogger email viruses are often disguised as business documents with fillable fields that prompt you for valuable information, so always check who is sending these documents before you open it.
Deepfake Scams
Deepfake technology isn’t just for creating viral internet videos anymore. AI-driven phishing scams are using it to send eerily convincing videos and phone messages that look and sound like they’re from your boss, your bank, or a family member. This radical AI-based impersonation is hard for most people to detect and leverages the face of a trusted person to convince victims to click on hidden email virus links or attachments without scrutinizing their actions. Deepfakes may trick your ears and eyes, so to add an extra layer of security against this sophisticated scam, use email encryption.
Best Practices for Email Malware Protection Against Cyberattacks
In 2025, antivirus programs cannot protect you against every type of threat. Cybercriminals are playing a much more intelligent game, and their targets are everyone from individuals to huge corporations.
The good news is that all of these risks can be radically lowered by the introduction of email virus best practices:
Email Virus Safety for Links, Attachments, and Downloads
- Don’t click on email attachments or malicious URL links from an unknown sender
- Filter emails with malware scanners and link verification tools before you click on any part of the message.
- Enable preview features in your inbox to see an email’s contents before you open it.
- Use taskbar commands to close pop-up ads and never click the “X” in a suspicious browser window.
Email Virus Verification and Authentication
- Before you open any message, always check the sender’s email address.
- Double-check requests for sensitive information, financial transfers, or urgent tasks, even if you think you know the sender’s identity.
- Verify unexpected email requests through alternative channels, especially if they involve money or sensitive information.
- Guard your business and personal email accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Detect and Avoid Email Virus Threats
- Train your team to recognize phishing emails, AI-generated content, and deepfaked pictures or videos.
- Watch for phishing red flags like misspellings, mismatched email subject and body, unusual requests, or fake urgency.
- Pay attention to unusual email activity from coworkers to detect insider threats.
- Don’t share your email address outside of trusted channels.
Are you aware that most viruses get to your computer with the help of your fellow employees? Well grab your shield as we learn a new field.
As hard as it is to believe, most viruses infect your business through email, so it cannot cause harm to you unless one of your fellow employees gives out sensitive information through social engineering of a cyber criminal. Or clicks on a malicious link. It is the prevailing existence of human error that is responsible for making 2 million to 5 million cyber attacks successful every single day.
Well, don't go anywhere because Guardian Digital could teach both you and your fellow employees tricks to prevent phishing emails from being successful as these are the best practices to avoid email virus infections. It is super important that you think before you click phishing emails will use social engineering to fool people into clicking on links or email attachments, which ultimately allows the cyber criminals to download malware into a separate file to your computer or even in your computer's memory before clicking on anything embedded in an email.
Check its legitimacy by checking the spelling and punctuation of its address. Looking at the grammar in its body, making sure its domain is not different from the email it claims to be, or looking through the message details to see if it's return path. Address is the same as the address given for extra measures.
Use your current antivirus software to scan and email attachments for malware. You must always update and patch your operating system as soon as the opportunity is given. Unpatched operating systems, web browsers and mail clients carry vulnerabilities that cyber criminals could exploit to run malware on.
After an employee fails to identify a phishing email software developers always work really hard to patch these vulnerabilities before cyber criminals could get their hands on them. So you should always install an update as soon as you become aware of a new patch being released. Otherwise, the vulnerabilities will stay.
One third of all data breaches are caused by unpatched vulnerabilities, so it helps to keep your business protected by installing all updates immediately. Never under any circumstances open a file with a dot exe extension. This extension is short for an executable file that executes a sequence of tasks for your operating system to perform once it has been downloaded, so it takes control of your computer.
Cyber criminals often get people to download executable files. On their computers because it will cause the operating system to reveal personal information or even install ransomware. Some mail programs will give you the option to automatically download email attachments or open websites, but it's a bad idea.
Many people think that it is useful for getting back to their coworkers in a timely manner when they send tons of attachments. But it also prevents them from checking the legitimacy of an email before opening its attachments. Never have auto download installed because it will cause you to install malware without even having to perform a single click.
Similarly to opening links or attachments on emails. Never forward emails until checking their legitimacy. Many cyber criminals use spear phishing attacks to target one person of a company, but if someone forwards the email containing malware. To their coworkers, then they would aid the cyber criminals into reaching as many people as possible.
This increases the possibility of a human error leading to a data compromise. As someone being forwarded the email may not have knowledge of the safety tips necessary. To check the legitimacy of an email before downloading an attachment. If you are still uncomfortable after learning these new practices, then consider implementing a proactive cloud email security solution.
Traditional antivirus solutions do not have the ability to stop many phishing emails due to their single layered infrastructures and static methods, but an antivirus solution you should rely on. Is one that limits the chances of human error by preventing phishing emails from reaching your inbox. A good example of this is Guardian Digital OnGuard Cloud email security, which is multilayered to make it more difficult for phishing emails to make it into your inbox, and it is proactive as it always identifies new cyber threats to blacklists.
Always remember to act smart, not fast. Using the following practices above will require a little bit of extra work and time when communicating to others over email. But remember, it's either this or running the risk of being responsible for putting your whole company outta business. It may also be the other way around, as others may take too much time to verify the legitimacy of an email if they suffer from anxiety when thinking of the risks.
Of getting hacked, but just take a deep breath and trust the safety of the practices provided without overthinking them and get the proper antivirus solutions. Thank you for watching this video. Hopefully your new knowledge has built you a stronger shield. It was a pleasure of speaking with you and as always.
Stay safe.
Video Transcript How to Protect Data from an Email Virus
- Regularly back up critical data using offline or secure cloud solutions.
- Adopt a zero-trust approach to email security, treating every file, link, or sender as potentially malicious.
- If you click a malicious attachment or an embedded email virus link, immediately disconnect your device from the network and report it.
How to Get Rid of an Email Virus
- Use AI-driven email security tools to filter phishing emails and detect zero-day threats.
- Deploy comprehensive, cloud-based email security solutions with a secure email gateway, sandboxing, and email encryption.
- Make sure antivirus software for your email, operating system, and web browser gets regular updates.
Anticipate New Email Virus Tactics
- Stay informed about AI-powered phishing and emerging email virus trends (our newsletter can help).
- Update training policies to raise awareness of the newest social engineering tactics.
Email Virus Verification and Authentication
- Before you open any message, always check the sender’s email address.
- Double-check requests for sensitive information, financial transfers, or urgent tasks, even if you think you know the sender’s identity.
- Verify unexpected email requests through alternative channels, especially if they involve money or sensitive information.
- Guard your business and personal email accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Detect and Avoid Email Virus Threats
- Train your team to recognize phishing emails, AI-generated content, and deepfaked pictures or videos.
- Watch for phishing red flags like misspellings, mismatched email subject and body, unusual requests, or fake urgency.
- Pay attention to unusual email activity from coworkers to detect insider threats.
- Don’t share your email address outside of trusted channels.
Are you aware that most viruses get to your computer with the help of your fellow employees? Well grab your shield as we learn a new field.
As hard as it is to believe, most viruses infect your business through email, so it cannot cause harm to you unless one of your fellow employees gives out sensitive information through social engineering of a cyber criminal. Or clicks on a malicious link. It is the prevailing existence of human error that is responsible for making 2 million to 5 million cyber attacks successful every single day.
Well, don't go anywhere because Guardian Digital could teach both you and your fellow employees tricks to prevent phishing emails from being successful as these are the best practices to avoid email virus infections. It is super important that you think before you click phishing emails will use social engineering to fool people into clicking on links or email attachments, which ultimately allows the cyber criminals to download malware into a separate file to your computer or even in your computer's memory before clicking on anything embedded in an email.
Check its legitimacy by checking the spelling and punctuation of its address. Looking at the grammar in its body, making sure its domain is not different from the email it claims to be, or looking through the message details to see if it's return path. Address is the same as the address given for extra measures.
Use your current antivirus software to scan and email attachments for malware. You must always update and patch your operating system as soon as the opportunity is given. Unpatched operating systems, web browsers and mail clients carry vulnerabilities that cyber criminals could exploit to run malware on.
After an employee fails to identify a phishing email software developers always work really hard to patch these vulnerabilities before cyber criminals could get their hands on them. So you should always install an update as soon as you become aware of a new patch being released. Otherwise, the vulnerabilities will stay.
One third of all data breaches are caused by unpatched vulnerabilities, so it helps to keep your business protected by installing all updates immediately. Never under any circumstances open a file with a dot exe extension. This extension is short for an executable file that executes a sequence of tasks for your operating system to perform once it has been downloaded, so it takes control of your computer.
Cyber criminals often get people to download executable files. On their computers because it will cause the operating system to reveal personal information or even install ransomware. Some mail programs will give you the option to automatically download email attachments or open websites, but it's a bad idea.
Many people think that it is useful for getting back to their coworkers in a timely manner when they send tons of attachments. But it also prevents them from checking the legitimacy of an email before opening its attachments. Never have auto download installed because it will cause you to install malware without even having to perform a single click.
Similarly to opening links or attachments on emails. Never forward emails until checking their legitimacy. Many cyber criminals use spear phishing attacks to target one person of a company, but if someone forwards the email containing malware. To their coworkers, then they would aid the cyber criminals into reaching as many people as possible.
This increases the possibility of a human error leading to a data compromise. As someone being forwarded the email may not have knowledge of the safety tips necessary. To check the legitimacy of an email before downloading an attachment. If you are still uncomfortable after learning these new practices, then consider implementing a proactive cloud email security solution.
Traditional antivirus solutions do not have the ability to stop many phishing emails due to their single layered infrastructures and static methods, but an antivirus solution you should rely on. Is one that limits the chances of human error by preventing phishing emails from reaching your inbox. A good example of this is Guardian Digital OnGuard Cloud email security, which is multilayered to make it more difficult for phishing emails to make it into your inbox, and it is proactive as it always identifies new cyber threats to blacklists.
Always remember to act smart, not fast. Using the following practices above will require a little bit of extra work and time when communicating to others over email. But remember, it's either this or running the risk of being responsible for putting your whole company outta business. It may also be the other way around, as others may take too much time to verify the legitimacy of an email if they suffer from anxiety when thinking of the risks.
Of getting hacked, but just take a deep breath and trust the safety of the practices provided without overthinking them and get the proper antivirus solutions. Thank you for watching this video. Hopefully your new knowledge has built you a stronger shield. It was a pleasure of speaking with you and as always.
Stay safe.
Video Transcript How to Protect Data from an Email Virus
- Regularly back up critical data using offline or secure cloud solutions.
- Adopt a zero-trust approach to email security, treating every file, link, or sender as potentially malicious.
- If you click a malicious attachment or an embedded email virus link, immediately disconnect your device from the network and report it.
How to Get Rid of an Email Virus
- Use AI-driven email security tools to filter phishing emails and detect zero-day threats.
- Deploy comprehensive, cloud-based email security solutions with a secure email gateway, sandboxing, and email encryption.
- Make sure antivirus software for your email, operating system, and web browser gets regular updates.
Anticipate New Email Virus Tactics
- Stay informed about AI-powered phishing and emerging email virus trends (our newsletter can help).
- Update training policies to raise awareness of the newest social engineering tactics.
Are you aware that most viruses get to your computer with the help of your fellow employees? Well grab your shield as we learn a new field.
As hard as it is to believe, most viruses infect your business through email, so it cannot cause harm to you unless one of your fellow employees gives out sensitive information through social engineering of a cyber criminal. Or clicks on a malicious link. It is the prevailing existence of human error that is responsible for making 2 million to 5 million cyber attacks successful every single day.
Well, don't go anywhere because Guardian Digital could teach both you and your fellow employees tricks to prevent phishing emails from being successful as these are the best practices to avoid email virus infections. It is super important that you think before you click phishing emails will use social engineering to fool people into clicking on links or email attachments, which ultimately allows the cyber criminals to download malware into a separate file to your computer or even in your computer's memory before clicking on anything embedded in an email.
Check its legitimacy by checking the spelling and punctuation of its address. Looking at the grammar in its body, making sure its domain is not different from the email it claims to be, or looking through the message details to see if it's return path. Address is the same as the address given for extra measures.
Use your current antivirus software to scan and email attachments for malware. You must always update and patch your operating system as soon as the opportunity is given. Unpatched operating systems, web browsers and mail clients carry vulnerabilities that cyber criminals could exploit to run malware on.
After an employee fails to identify a phishing email software developers always work really hard to patch these vulnerabilities before cyber criminals could get their hands on them. So you should always install an update as soon as you become aware of a new patch being released. Otherwise, the vulnerabilities will stay.
One third of all data breaches are caused by unpatched vulnerabilities, so it helps to keep your business protected by installing all updates immediately. Never under any circumstances open a file with a dot exe extension. This extension is short for an executable file that executes a sequence of tasks for your operating system to perform once it has been downloaded, so it takes control of your computer.
Cyber criminals often get people to download executable files. On their computers because it will cause the operating system to reveal personal information or even install ransomware. Some mail programs will give you the option to automatically download email attachments or open websites, but it's a bad idea.
Many people think that it is useful for getting back to their coworkers in a timely manner when they send tons of attachments. But it also prevents them from checking the legitimacy of an email before opening its attachments. Never have auto download installed because it will cause you to install malware without even having to perform a single click.
Similarly to opening links or attachments on emails. Never forward emails until checking their legitimacy. Many cyber criminals use spear phishing attacks to target one person of a company, but if someone forwards the email containing malware. To their coworkers, then they would aid the cyber criminals into reaching as many people as possible.
This increases the possibility of a human error leading to a data compromise. As someone being forwarded the email may not have knowledge of the safety tips necessary. To check the legitimacy of an email before downloading an attachment. If you are still uncomfortable after learning these new practices, then consider implementing a proactive cloud email security solution.
Traditional antivirus solutions do not have the ability to stop many phishing emails due to their single layered infrastructures and static methods, but an antivirus solution you should rely on. Is one that limits the chances of human error by preventing phishing emails from reaching your inbox. A good example of this is Guardian Digital OnGuard Cloud email security, which is multilayered to make it more difficult for phishing emails to make it into your inbox, and it is proactive as it always identifies new cyber threats to blacklists.
Always remember to act smart, not fast. Using the following practices above will require a little bit of extra work and time when communicating to others over email. But remember, it's either this or running the risk of being responsible for putting your whole company outta business. It may also be the other way around, as others may take too much time to verify the legitimacy of an email if they suffer from anxiety when thinking of the risks.
Of getting hacked, but just take a deep breath and trust the safety of the practices provided without overthinking them and get the proper antivirus solutions. Thank you for watching this video. Hopefully your new knowledge has built you a stronger shield. It was a pleasure of speaking with you and as always.
Stay safe.
Best practices will strengthen your email malware protection and counteract the most common tactics that cybercriminals use to deliver viruses. However, be sure that your organization is backing up great policies with a great email security provider.
Email Virus FAQ
Want to learn more about how to find and stop current email viruses? Here are answers to the most commonly asked security questions about safeguarding your email from viruses and other threats.
How do I say safe from an email virus?
To stay safe, always verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking any part of the email message, and keep antivirus defenses updated with the latest software patches.
What is signature-based malware detection, and how does it work?
Signature-based detection is how an antivirus program looks for malware. Antivirus programs know a list of signatures, which are distinctive patterns it can recognize, and compare all incoming files against these email virus signatures. When it gets a match, it stops the file from running.
What is real-time protection in email security, and how does it work?
Real-time protection services watch all emails coming in and going out, as well as file downloads and link clicks. If there’s any unusual behavior, the offending email is instantly marked and stopped.
How does sandboxing improve email malware protection?
Sandboxing is a cybersecurity practice for testing potentially hazardous files in a secure digital environment. The suspicious email file is opened and executed in isolation, without endangering the rest of the network.
Can AI detect an email virus?
AI email security uses data mining and machine learning to process huge amounts of email data and find malware trends. AI can learn to detect emails with malicious intent by analyzing file types, sender history, and the layout of messages.
How does behavior-based malware detection stop email threats?
Behavior-based detection, or heuristic analysis, looks at what email files do after they are received. When an email file tries to change system settings, install software, or access private data, it gets marked as a malware threat. This method can find AI-powered polymorphic viruses because it tracks behavior, rather than known email virus signatures.
How does a multi-layered security approach improve email malware protection?
Multi-tiered security policy controls use several types of email virus detection at the same time: sandboxing, real-time research, machine learning, and monitoring sender behavior. Businesses that use a combination of security methods make it less likely that threats will get through.
How Guardian Digital Can Help
Guardian Digital's EnGarde Cloud Email Security protects you from viruses, malware, spam, and phishing attacks in a powerful and easy-to-use package for business. We have designed a multi-layered security system that blocks harmful emails before they can get to your inbox. EnGarde gives you proactive protection as a secure email gateway.
Engarde’s adaptive antivirus engines and algorithms improve your email malware protection by making it possible to find the most complex threats, like polymorphic viruses. Strong email encryption secures your private information, and endpoint protection keeps your systems safe from new threats.
Our open source philosophy makes sure that Engarde users have options. You will have the flexibility to customize your protection, and the assurance that global developers are constantly preparing our platform for emerging email virus threats.
Central, cloud-based administration simplifies your email management, and Guardian Digital's premium support services are available to customers 24/7/365. We are here to answer your questions and provide worry-free email safety.
Keep Learning About Virus and Targeted Threat Protection
Criminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit weaknesses, causing cyber threats to evolve continually. It’s crucial to implement thorough security measures and secure email practices. It is far more effective to prevent email scams from happening in the first place than to deal with them after the fact.
- Learn more about protecting your business from malware and ransomware.
- Improve your company’s posture to protect against attacks by following best practices for email security.
- Keeping the integrity of your email safe requires securing the cloud with spam filtering and enterprise-grade anti-spam services.
Get the latest updates on how to stay safe online.
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