How to spot fake emails like "Email Quarantine" scam email

What is the "Email Quarantine" email message?

"Email Quarantine" refers to a phishing spam email campaign. The term "spam campaign" is used to define a mass-scale operation, during which thousands of deceptive emails are sent. The messages distributed through the "Email Quarantine" campaign claim that users have several incoming emails, which have been "quarantined" (i.e., did not reach the inbox).

To prevent these (nonexistent) messages from being deleted, recipients are instructed to log-in to their email accounts. This is the main goal of this scam: to encourage users to inadvertently reveal their email account log-in credentials by entering them into a phishing website.

More about the "Email Quarantine" scam email

The "Email Quarantine" messages state that users have a specific number of emails in quarantine (as opposed to in the inbox or specific subfolder in the inbox).

The title/subject of the researched variant was "You have (4) Messages Pending Delivery On Your e-Mail Portal", which implies that there are four "quarantined" emails, however, in the body of the message it is stated that in fact two emails have been held back.

The message is phrased in a way that implies users have a choice of how to approach the fake emails (i.e., release - allow into the inbox, delete, approve or block mail from the sender). To further the sense of urgency, the "Email Quarantine" scam messages claim that the withheld emails will be deleted within 24 hours (implying that users must take action immediately).

The subjects/titles of the nonexistent emails (i.e., "AW: new order - V3088514" and "Fwd: Payment Advice Note from 06.11.2020") are also intended to sound important, thereby increasing users' hastiness. To prevent the imaginary emails from being deleted, users are to click the "Log in" button and re-access their email accounts.

This button redirects to a phishing site, which is disguised as a sign-in/log-in page. The web page states that the session has been terminated and users must sign-in again to continue.

All of the information provided by the "Email Quarantine" emails is false and, by attempting to log-in through the phishing page, users will unintentionally reveal their log-in credentials to the scammers behind this spam campaign. Scammers target email accounts as they are typically connected with other accounts.

Hence, through stolen email accounts, they may gain access to associated ones. Accounts of interest include (but are not limited to) social networking, social media, messaging platform, data storage and sharing, e-commerce, online money transfers, digital wallet, banking, and so on.

To summarize, trusting the "Email Quarantine" scam messages can result in loss of email accounts and others linked with them, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. If attempts to sign-in through the phishing website have already been made, you are strongly advised to change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts.

Additionally, you are advised to contact and inform the official support of all endangered accounts.

Examples of similar scams

"Wire Transfer", "POWERBALL OFFICIAL 2020 WINNINGS", "Your Microsoft subscription has been expired" and "Last Warning: Upgrade your email to avoid Shutting Down" are some examples of other phishing spam campaigns. Phishing schemes do not exclusively target emails, but other accounts and personal information as well.

Spam campaigns can have various purposes and disguises. Furthermore, deceptive emails are also commonly used to proliferate malware (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, etc.). Due to the relative prevalence of scam mail, you are advised to exercise caution with incoming emails.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Typically, cyber criminals behind malspam campaigns send emails with a file attached to them or a download link to the malicious file. Their main goal is to trick recipients into opening/executing the rogue file, which then installs malicious software.

Some examples of files that cyber criminals send via email are Microsoft Office and PDF documents, executables (.exe), JavaScript, and archives (ZIP, RAR). Note that malicious documents that are opened with Microsoft Office 2010 or newer versions install malicious software only if users enable macros commands (enable editing/content).

These versions include "Protected View" mode, which does not allow opened malicious documents to install malware automatically. Older versions do not include this feature and install malicious software without asking permission.

How to avoid installation of malware

To avoid malware spread via spam mail, you are strongly advised against opening suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present within them. Additionally, use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010.

Malicious programs are also proliferated through untrusted download channels (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal software activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updaters.

Therefore, only download from official/verified sources and activate and update software with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and kept updated.

Furthermore, use these programs to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats. If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Email Quarantine" scam email message:

Subject: You have (4) Messages Pending Delivery On Your e-Mail Portal

 

Email Quarantine
Dear info
You have 2 emails in quarantine
AW: new order - V3088514
From  Aurélie Fournier
MAIL FROM ********
To ********
9.11.2020 00:16:17 | Spam Mail | 72.4 kB
Release
Delete
Approve
Block
    Fwd: Payment Advice Note from 06.11.2020
From LISA MARSHALL
MAIL FROM ********
To ********
9.11.2020 00:16:17 | Spam Mail | 47.2 kB
Release
Delete
Approve
Block
 
Emails will be deleted automatically after 24 hours. You can change the frequency of these notifications within your email quarantine portal.
Log in

Screenshot of the phishing website promoted via "Email Quarantine" scam email:

Another email quarantine-themed spam email promoting a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: Verification On Your E-mail ********* Pending Status

    
Email Quarantine

    
Dear *********

********* has prevented the delivery of 6 new emails to your inbox with subjects Re:Balance Payment as of 6/28/2021 4:42:17 p.m. Message was identified as Spam. You can review these here and choose what happens to Your EMAILS. You can also get more information about quarantined messages by clicking on the botton VIEW EMAILS and Compliance Center. You'll need to Login with your details to be able to access this Emails.

Emails will be deleted automatically after 14 days. CLICK VIEW EMAILS portal.
View Emails

Appearance of the phishing website promoted via this email:

Another example of email quarantine-themed spam:

Text presented within:

Subject: You have (6) incoming mails pending

 

Email Quarantine

Dear -

******** has prevented the delivery of 6 new emails to your inbox as of 9/23/2021 2:29:37 a.m. . You must update your account to avoid deactivation.

Click to update  and view pending emails

Another example of email quarantine-themed spam email:

Text presented within:

Subject: (6) Email Quarantine Message Notification

 

You have (6) Incoming Quarantine Messages

The following messages have been blocked by your mail-server due to Email Quarantine.

You have six pending messages .

Incoming Messages:
Status : Subject: Time:
pending.... Fwd: Payment 07:17 am
pending.... We didn't receive any reply from you CALL ME 07:21 am
pending.... RE: Revised PI 08:19 am
pending.... Zoom meeting request tomorrow 08:29 am
pending.... URGENT NEW ORDER 10:27 am
pending.... FedEx Shipment 11:02 am

Deliver View Delete
Note: The messages will be delivered within 1-2 hours after you receive a confirmation mail notice.

This message was sent by the MailDaemon server - notification.

Thank you!

Copyright© 2021 Webmail, Inc.

Another example of an email from "Email Quarantine" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: [Case No. #293841] | Incoming Messages On 8/22/2023 5:21:19 a.m. | - Resolution Portal |

 

Email Quarantine
    
Dear ********
You have 2 emails in quarantine message was identified as Spam.
Reason     From     Recipient     Subject     Date     Action
Mail - ******** FW: Invoice 195 8/22/2023 5:21:19 a.m. Release Delete
Mail - ******** FW: Information 8/22/2023 5:21:19 a.m. Release Delete

Emails will be deleted automatically after 4 days. CLICK VIEW EMAILS portal.
View Emails

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another example of an email from "Email Quarantine" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: System Notification : Quarantined Incoming Messages for -

Email Quarantine Notification

Dear -,

We hope this email finds you well. This is an automatic notification to inform you that 10 new messages have been placed in quarantine within your Roundcube webmail account. These messages have been flagged based on our security protocols to ensure the safety and integrity of your inbox.
Details:

Number of quarantined messages: 19
Quarantine period: 7 days (messages will be automatically deleted after this period if no action is taken)

Recommended Actions:

Review Quarantined Messages Now
Release or Delete: If you identify a genuine message, you can release it to your inbox. Otherwise, it is advisable to delete suspicious emails to maintain your account's security.
Update Whitelist/Blacklist: To prevent genuine messages from being quarantined in the future, consider updating your whitelist. Conversely, if you find repetitive spam or malicious senders, add them to your blacklist.
Enhance Security: Ensure that your account password is strong and unique. Consider enabling two-factor authentication if you haven't already.

Note:  Do not release any messages unless you are certain of their legitimacy. Releasing suspicious or malicious messages can compromise the security of your email account and the information within it.

Thank you for being vigilant and helping us maintain the security and integrity of our email service.

Warm regards,

Email Server Security

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

This letter is not addressed to you personally. Scammers behind phishing emails usually send the same letter to all recipients.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you opened a phishing page and entered your password, change all your passwords immediately.

I have downloaded and opened a malicious file attached to an email, is my computer infected?

It depends on the type of file that was opened. For instance, executable files usually infect computers right after they are opened. Malicious MS Office documents cannot infect computers until macros commands are enabled.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Computers get infected via files or links in emails used to distribute malware. Thus, it is safe to open emails without clicking links or opening attachments.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove detected malware. This app can detect almost all known malware.  Since high-end malware usually hides deep in the system, it is required to run a full system scan to remove it.