Skip to main content
Person typing on a laptop in a modern workspace.
Chic haircuts for women over 50 trending in 2026.
President Donald J. Trump promotes maternal healthcare at event.

Homepage

4 Suspicious Email Attachments You Should Never Open—They Might Contain Viruses and Phishing Attempts

July 19, 2024 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Homepage
Featured image

How many times have you received an email from someone you don’t know with an alluring-looking attachment or link that you really, really want to click on or open? You would be wise NOT to click on anything from anyone you do not recognize or know personally — you never know where a virus or malware could be lurking. It is extremely common for hackers to try and infiltrate your device and data via emails and attachments, so being as cautious as possible is important.

Be especially careful of these four suspicious email attachments that experts say never to open.

Links to Websites

Even if a link looks legit — it may claim that it’s going to lead you to a popular bank or shopping site — that doesn’t always pan out as promised. Oftentimes, hackers will change one letter or add a symbol to the name of a real company, making it look like the real thing at first glance. But once you click on these links, you could be making yourself vulnerable to phishing attempts.

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
woman-using-iphone

ZIP or compressed files

 


ZIP and compressed files contain multiple files within them, including scripts that aren’t always visible. For this reason, you’re taking a big chance clicking on these files and could be opening yourself up to hackers.

 


JavaScript Files

 


When you click on JavaScript files, they can immediately execute commands on your computer. For this reason, hackers often use them to deliver harmful malware to users. The moment you click on one, the malware can be installed on your device without your knowledge.

woman-looking-at-laptop

Scam Invoices and Receipts

 

One of the scariest emails you can get is scams that claim you purchased something for $500 and your receipt is attached. Everything in your being may propel you to investigate matters, but remember: unless you actually made a purchase, it’s likely a scam. Opening so-called invoiced and receipts can download malware to your device. Delete these emails and report them to Apple.

Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

Middle-aged woman performing yoga in a studio.
Kim Kardashian at Kering's 3rd Annual Caring for Women Dinner.
Kylie Jenner with Stormi and Timothée Chalamet at a public event.
Madonna showcasing bold fashion at the Met Gala.
Taylor Swift arriving at her private jet in 2024.
Tired woman showing effects of poor sleep quality.
Healthy banana nice cream served in a bowl.
Jennifer Lopez stunning in Defaience at the American Music Awards.
Vittoria Ceretti and Leonardo DiCaprio at a glamorous event
Emma Stone celebrating at the Annual Actor Awards.
Salma Hayek posing at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
Summer superfoods for glowing skin and collagen boost.
Kate Middleton during a state visit in elegant attire
Middle-aged woman savoring her wine
Top Prime Day beauty deals available on Amazon now.
Ariana Grande at the Golden Globes showcasing stunning fashion
Kylie Jenner at the 2025 Met Gala in sophisticated black tailoring
Woman applying sunscreen for sun protection and skincare.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sharing a moment together.
Close-up of seeds showcasing unique textures and colors.
Middle-aged woman performing yoga in a studio.
Kim Kardashian at Kering's 3rd Annual Caring for Women Dinner.
Kylie Jenner with Stormi and Timothée Chalamet at a public event.
Madonna showcasing bold fashion at the Met Gala.
Taylor Swift arriving at her private jet in 2024.
Tired woman showing effects of poor sleep quality.
Healthy banana nice cream served in a bowl.
Jennifer Lopez stunning in Defaience at the American Music Awards.
Vittoria Ceretti and Leonardo DiCaprio at a glamorous event
Emma Stone celebrating at the Annual Actor Awards.
Salma Hayek posing at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
Summer superfoods for glowing skin and collagen boost.
Kate Middleton during a state visit in elegant attire
Middle-aged woman savoring her wine
Top Prime Day beauty deals available on Amazon now.

Beauty

Prime Day is basically a holiday for anyone who's ...

Ariana Grande at the Golden Globes showcasing stunning fashion
Kylie Jenner at the 2025 Met Gala in sophisticated black tailoring
Woman applying sunscreen for sun protection and skincare.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sharing a moment together.
Close-up of seeds showcasing unique textures and colors.