How Can Opening an Email Crash My Computer?
Opening an email will not crash your computer as long as you don’t open any attachments that accompany the email. Emails that specifically ask you to open the attachment should automatically serve as a red flag, since that attachment probably contains a virus or worm that will infect your computer within seconds of opening the attachment.
How Do Viruses Get Into My Computer Through an Email Attachment?
Viruses are essentially computer programs written with the intent of instructing a computer’s hard drive to perform malicious actions, such as accessing personal information or deliberately disrupting a computer operating system. Viruses are self-replicating, meaning they spread from one computer to another by copying itself onto another computer’s hard drive. Often the infected user is not even aware that a virus is sending dangerous emails to everyone in their email address book until it is too late.
When a particularly destructive virus is written into an attachment and you open the attachment, the virus is immediately released into your computer’s hard drive. Since the person spreading a virus or spyware usually wants to obtain data for fraudulent purposes, it is not the intention for most viruses to disable a computer. If you open an email attachment containing a virus that ultimately gives you the “blue screen of death”, then the virus was probably not written correctly.
Recognizing “Buggy” Emails
Never open an email attachment sent by people or companies you do not know or recognize. Attachments ending in .exe are especially suspect, since these “executable” files are installed instantly on your computer upon opening them and can erase your hard drive within minutes. Emails that insist you open an attachment to see something “amazing” or “exciting” should be deleted immediately. Also, attachments accompanying emails with subject lines that contain misspelled words, words containing symbols or words in ALL CAPS are just attempting to entice you into opening an infected attachment.
Remaining wary of email attachments and keeping your antivirus software up-to-date is the best way to guarantee your computer stays clean and never crashes due to a virus infection.
By Shawn Perry
Podcasts
- 12/28/2020 – (1) Protections & Rights of Veterans, (2) The Laughter Zone
- 12/21/2020 – (1) Keeping Seniors Safe During the Holidays, (2) End-Of-Life Options
- 12/14/2020 – (1) Aging Networks & COVID-19, (2) Health, Wealth & Self
- 12/7/2020 – (1) Older Adult Driver Safety, (2) Christmas Carols
- 11/30/2020 – (1) Rental Property Maintenance and Responsibilities, (2) Advance Care Planning
- 11/23/2020 – (1) Tips & Resources for Caregiver’s in Crisis, (2) Ending Senior Hunger
- 11/16/2020 – (1) Understanding Diabetes & It’s Effects
- 11/9/2020 – (1) Caregiving in the times of Coronavirus
- 11/2/2020 – (1) Virtual 50+ Expo, (2) Energy Saving Programs in DC
- 10/26/2020 – (1) Medicare Enrollment Season, (2) Voter Engagement in Maryland
- 10/19/2020 – (1) Medicare Open Enrollment Season, (2) Voting Options in Washington, DC
- 10/12/2020 – (1) Fire Prevention Week, (2) Ending Prostate Cancer
- 10/5/2020 – (1) World Investor Week, (2) Active Aging Week
- 9/28/2020 – (1) Voter Engagement, (2) DC Dept. of Aging 4th QTR Senior Address
- 9/21/2020 – (1) Durable Medical Equipment & (2) AARP Meal Pack Challenge
- 9/14/2020 – Examining Male Aging
- 9/7/2020 – Tackling Senior Hunger One Meal at a Time.
- 8/31/2020 – (1) Navigating Public Benefits, (2) Aging & Disability Networks during COVID-19
- 8/17/2020 – (1) Yoga Benefits for Seniors, (2) COVID-19 Effects on Nursing Homes
- 7/27/2020 – (1) Evictions During Coronavirus, (2) Musical Selections to Ease Your Spirit.
- 7/6/2020 – (1) State of the Senior Address by DACL, (2) Leadership, or lack thereof, & Face Masks
- 6/29/2020 – (1) COVID-19 & Nursing Homes, (2) Maryland Senior Call Check Program
- 6/1/2020 – (1) Senior Spotlight w/former drummer for James Brown, (2) Senior of the Month, Andi Johnson
- 5/25/2020 – (1) COVID-19 Evictions & Foreclosures, (2) Celebrating 2020 Older American’s Month
- 5/18/2020 – (1) Taking Control Of Your Healthcare, (2) Did You KNow, May is Senior Sex Month?
- 5/11/2020 – (1) Feeding Seniors During Coronavirus, (2) Preparing to Age Solo
- 5/4/2020 – (1) Caregiving During Coronavirus, (2) Easy Fasten Clothing Options
- 4/27/2020 – (1) COVID-19 Scams, (2) Developing A Winning Mindset in 5 Steps
- 4/20/2020 – (1) D.C. 2nd QTR Senior Address, (2) April is Financial Capability Month
- 4/13/2020 – (1) Coronavirus; Available Resources in DC, (2) Rejoicing Through The Tears
- 4/6/2020 – (1) Coronavirus & Upcoming DC Elections, (2) Caregiving in the Time of Coronavirus .
- 3/30/2020 – (1)Coronavirus & Legal Matters, (2) Coronavirus Humor
- 3/23/2020 – (1) Dementia & Coronavirus, (2) A Message More Powerful Than Coronavirus
- 3/16/2020 – (1) Senior Downsizing, (2) Coronavirus & Compassion
- 3/9/2020 – (1) Common Sense Caregiving, (2) Ageless Sexuality
- 3/2/2020 – (1) AARP – The Longevity Economy: A Snapshot”, (2) Listener Call-In’s
- 2/24/2020 – (1) Accommodating Tenants with Disabilities, (2) Supporting Community-Based Organizations
- 2/10/2020 – (1) M-NCPPC Programs for Seniors, 60+, (2) Tips to Manage Your $$$
- 2/3/2020 – (1) Utility Scams & Senior Rates, (2) Listener Call-In’s
- 1/27/2020 – (1) Choosing Long-Term Facilities, (2) Food Safety Tips
- 1/20/2020 – (1) End-of-Life Caregiving, (2) Expanding End-of-Life Rights
- 1/13/2020 – (1) DC Senior Update, (2) Ask Social Security
- 12/30/2019 – (1) Advocating for DC Elders, (2) Seniors. Debt. Credit.
- 12/16/2019 – (1) Preventing Loneliness & Depression, (2) Prescription Drug Costs
- 11/25/2019 – (1) Medicare, Fraud & Scams, (2) Closing the Internet Divide Amongst Seniors
- 11/18/2019 – (1) Considering Medicare Health Plans?, (2) Long Term Care Planning
- 11/11/2019 – (1) Careving Around The Clock, (2) Caregiving Survival Tips
- 11/4/2019 – (1) Housing for LGBTQ Elders, (2) Parkinson’s & Caregiver’s
- 10/28/2019 – (1) VA Benefits, (2) 2020 U.S. Census
- 10/21/2019 – (1) Medicare Basics & (2) Your Pathways to Happiness
- 9/23/2019 – The Senior Zone Radio Show
- 9/3/2018 – In-Home Caregiver Services; What To Consider