Virus from e-mail

[JLS]

I have a relative who asked me if you can get a virus from just opening an e-mail. She opened an e-mail that she thought was from someone she knew but it wasn't from that individual. What is the best freeware software that I can tell her to run on her computer to check if she received anything on her computer?

[jdc2000]

If she opened only the message itself, and has a properly updated system and web browser or decent e-mail client program, she is probably OK. If she opened an attachment, probably not.

MalwareBytes and her installed antivirus program would be starting points to check for any malware. Also watch for any unusual or anomalous behavior from the system or web browsers. Thinks like slow performance, hard drive or network activity lights on solid or nearly solid, popup windows appearing, etc. would be indicators of potential problems.

[JLS]

Jdc2000, I appreciate the quick reply. I will pass that info to her. Thanks.