MikeWill Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 I received several unsolicited email messages, see a snapshot. I'm not sure if it's safe to open the attachment (a file name: google.com!th4u.com!1679616000!1679702399.xml).
NextG Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 If they are unsolicited and you don’t know the sender…. why would you try to open any attachment.? I think you might need someone to rap their knuckles on your head, to see if there is anyone in there. If using Windows 10 Pro, it has a Sandbox. Otherwise; https://sandboxie-plus.com/downloads/ 1
Upnotover Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 Yep, like answering the phone to numbers you don't know, answering the door to unexpected callers.....don't. 2
KhunLA Posted March 29, 2023 Posted March 29, 2023 if not on your contact list, simply delete, unless expecting something, then you should know that it is for you. Mouse over address will tell you who sent it.
RayWright Posted March 29, 2023 Posted March 29, 2023 Doesn't your Anti-Virus software pick this up? 1 1
MikeWill Posted March 29, 2023 Author Posted March 29, 2023 To clarify...in short: Recently, my MX records were changed by someone. I noticed that a few days later, and changed it back to Google as it is my email service provider. I also changed my password to cPanel. I do have an antivirus (Bitdefender), but I'm not 100% sure it can protect me.
KhunHeineken Posted March 29, 2023 Posted March 29, 2023 When in doubt, delete. Then, delete from your deleted folder as well. If they persist, put it in your blocked list.
MikeWill Posted March 31, 2023 Author Posted March 31, 2023 Does someone know what is DMARC? (see the new post by that name)
JustAnotherHun Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 To be save, run your mail program (I use Thunderbird) in a virtual machine. If something goes wrong, you delete it and copy it back from your backup storage. Takes less than 3 minutes. 1
KannikaP Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 On 3/29/2023 at 4:09 PM, MikeWill said: To clarify...in short: Recently, my MX records were changed by someone. I noticed that a few days later, and changed it back to Google as it is my email service provider. I also changed my password to cPanel. I do have an antivirus (Bitdefender), but I'm not 100% sure it can protect me. And do you have an app which will keep the font on your posts at the same, readable, size please?
h90 Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 We have a laptop...if there are doubts I copy the attachment on it, disconnect it from the network and open it there. But first we look the email.....If the bank does not know my name it is most probably not my bank, if the attachment is not ending in .pdf and there is no very clear reason why not it will be deleted.
h90 Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 31 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said: To be save, run your mail program (I use Thunderbird) in a virtual machine. If something goes wrong, you delete it and copy it back from your backup storage. Takes less than 3 minutes. and the virtual machine can not access your main computer (you are not sharing your files with it)
JustAnotherHun Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 2 minutes ago, h90 said: and the virtual machine can not access your main computer (you are not sharing your files with it) Correct. No "shared folders" between host and VM. btw: .pdf-files are a risk aswell. 1
h90 Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 Just now, JustAnotherHun said: Correct. No "shared folders" between host and VM. btw: .pdf-files are a risk aswell. I would not open unknown .pdf on my office computer. And I saw attachments like filename.pdf.exe which on a quick look in Thunderbird could trick someone. But can do a .pdf opened in for example sumatrapdf do some harm? I think not but still would not risk it.
Doctor Tom Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 McAfee will scan all e mails and downloads before you open them. Just use settings to select that option, that is, if you have McAfee of course .
JustAnotherHun Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 15 minutes ago, h90 said: But can do a .pdf opened in for example sumatrapdf do some harm? I think not but still would not risk it. I don't know sumatrapdf and never had a problem with .pdf. The risk should be quite low, but: "A PDF is not an executable file, so it cannot infect your machine while sitting idle on your hard drive — the malware in a PDF needs to be interpreted and executed through PDF reader software. " https://clario.co/blog/can-pdf-contain-virus/
h90 Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 20 minutes ago, ozimoron said: Use linux and don't worry about it. yes because I would be unable to get it opened ???? (just had the problem that I could not connect a linux machine to connect to Wifi....because of some bug)
h90 Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 5 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said: I don't know sumatrapdf and never had a problem with .pdf. The risk should be quite low, but: "A PDF is not an executable file, so it cannot infect your machine while sitting idle on your hard drive — the malware in a PDF needs to be interpreted and executed through PDF reader software. " https://clario.co/blog/can-pdf-contain-virus/ I see the bigger risk in having an email from your bank which looks OK and the statement.pdf.exe file name is not shown full or I am just too quick in clicking and open a file which isn't a pdf by mistake
n00dle Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 33 minutes ago, h90 said: .if there are doubts I copy the attachment on it, disconnect it from the network and open it there. how will that stop the laptop from becoming infected or protect your environment when you reconnect? 1
JustAnotherHun Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 2 minutes ago, h90 said: I see the bigger risk in having an email from your bank which looks OK... agree.
n00dle Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 9 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said: I don't know sumatrapdf and never had a problem with .pdf. The risk should be quite low, but: "A PDF is not an executable file, so it cannot infect your machine while sitting idle on your hard drive — the malware in a PDF needs to be interpreted and executed through PDF reader software. " https://clario.co/blog/can-pdf-contain-virus/ https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/resources/can-pdfs-contain-viruses.html
fdsa Posted April 19, 2023 Posted April 19, 2023 Yes, PDF, DOC, RTF, and all other document formats could contain malware.
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