Avoid getting scammed by fake "Yahoo Canada Lottery" emails

What kind of email is "Yahoo Canada Lottery"?

After reading the "Yahoo Canada Lottery" email, we determined that it is spam. The fake letter claims that the recipient has won 5 million USD in a lottery. The phishing email instructs to provide personally identifiable information to claim the prize. In addition to targeting private data, this spam mail may also seek funds.

"Yahoo Canada Lottery" email scam overview

The spam email with the subject "Your Email Has Won US$5 Million USD From yahoo Canada Lottery." (may vary) congratulates the recipient on winning the "yahoo Canada Lottery". Their prize is five million US dollars. The scam letter details the win by providing the winning numbers, as well as the numbers for the supposed ticket and ballot.

It must be emphasized that the claims made by the email are false, and this mail is in no way associated with Yahoo! Inc. or any legitimate Canadian lotteries.

The letter requests the recipient to send their information to the claims agent, i.e., their name, age, sex, nationality, address, occupation, company, mobile phone and fax numbers. Personally identifiable data can be used to carry out various incredibly harmful activities, and that includes stealing victims' identities.

Additionally, scammers can ask "winners" to make bogus payments, such as handling taxes or fees. Cyber criminals rely on difficult-to-trace methods for fund acquisition, e.g., cryptocurrencies, cash hidden in packages and shipped, gift cards, etc. Hence, chances of successfully prosecuting scammers and retrieving the money are diminished.

In summary, victims of scam mail like "Yahoo Canada Lottery" can experience serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you have disclosed your personally identifiable or finance-related data to scammers – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

Phishing spam campaign examples

We have analyzed countless spam campaigns; "Samsung Prize Money", "Foreign Beneficiary", "BMW Promotional Program", "Nedbank email scam", and "SharePoint - ACH-Wire Authorization" are just some examples of phishing emails.

In addition to personally identifiable information, these letters commonly target log-in credentials and finance-related data. However, various scams are promoted through spam mail, and it is used to distribute malware.

While the widely held belief that these emails are poorly written and full of grammatical/spelling errors is not untrue, it is not always the case. This mail can be competently crafted and even believably disguised as messages from legitimate companies, service providers, organizations, authorities, and other entities.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cyber criminals often use spam campaigns to proliferate malware. These emails/messages can include malicious files as attachments or download links. Virulent files come in various formats, e.g., archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), documents (Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, PDF, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.

The malware download/installation chain is initiated once a file is opened. Some formats require additional user interaction to initiate system infection processes. For example, Microsoft Office files need users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents require them to click embedded links or files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

It is essential to approach incoming emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, and other messages with caution. We advise against opening attachments or links present in suspicious mail, as they can be harmful or infectious.

It must be mentioned that malware is spread using various techniques. Therefore, we recommend being careful while browsing, as the Internet is full of fraudulent and malicious content.

Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and verified sources. Another recommendation is to activate and update programs using functions/tools provided by legitimate developers, as illegal activation ("cracking") tools and third-party updaters can contain malware.

It is paramount for device/user safety to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. This software must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove detected threats and issues. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Yahoo Canada Lottery" email letter:

Subject: Your Email Has Won US$5 Million USD From yahoo Canada Lottery.

Congratulations.
Your Email Has Won US$5 Million USD From yahoo Canada Lottery.

PRIZE PAYOUT, SOUTH AFRICA.
CONTACT FOR YOUR CLAIM
MR. WILLIAMS ALBERTON
TEL: 0027 732514439.
EMAIL: williamsalberton32@gmail.com

Your Winning numbers
NO: 07, 08, 09, 10, 26, 33 Bonus 19.
Ticket no: (649)
Ballot no: (SA/L)
Guaranteed Winner no: 7829525801
Winning numbers for Saturday 17 August 2024 Draw
Visit: hxxps://www.lotterycanada.com/lotto-649/2024-08-17

 

Confirm under Lotto 6/49. Send the below details about you.
NAMES............................……………….
CONTACT ADDRESS...................……
NATIONALITY...............………………..
SEX.... ......................…………………..
AGE.......................……………………..
PHONE / MOBILE NO: .......................
FAX……………………….....................
OCCUPATION.................................
COMPANY...............................……
Your email Attached to Ticket No. (6/49) and Ballot No: (SA/L)

Congratulations!! Once again.
Yours in service,
CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT
NAME: MR WILLIAMS ALBERTON
TEL:0027 732514439.

Appearance of the "Yahoo Canada Lottery" spam email (GIF):

Another example of an email from "Yahoo Canada Lottery" email scam:

Text presented within:

Subject: YOU HAVE WON US$5,000.000.00 ON E-MAIL.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

YOU HAVE WON US$5,000.000.00 ON E-MAIL.

This is to inform you that you have won a prize money of US$5,000.000.00 (FIVE MILLION, UNITED STATES DOLLARS) for 2024 Prize promotion which is organized in CANADA by YAHOO, GMAIL, AOL, WINDOWS LIVE and other internet subscribers .
YAHOO and MICRO SOFT collects all the email addresses of the people that are active online, among the millions that subscribed to Yahoo and Hotmail and few from other e-mail providers. Three persons are selected to benefit from this promotion and you are one of the selected winners.

FOR PRIZE CLAIMING

MR. WILLIAMS ALBERTON

TEL: 0027 732514439.

EMAIL: williamsalberton34@gmail.com

Winner shall be paid in accordance with his/her Settlement Center. Yahoo Prize Award must be claimed not later than 20 days, from the date of received. Any prize not claimed within this period will be forfeited.

Your Winning numbers

NO: 04, 20, 29, 40, 41, 48 Bonus 47.

Ticket no: (649)

Ballot no: (SA/L)

Guaranteed Winner no: 7624945101

Winning numbers for Wednesday 28th August 2024 Draw

Visit: hxxp://www.lotterycanada[.]com/lotto-649/2024-08-28

Confirm under Lotto 6/49. Send the below details about you.

NAMES............................……………….
CONTACT ADDRESS...................……
NATIONALITY...............………………..

SEX.... ......................…………………..
AGE.......................………………………..
PHONE / MOBILE NO: .............................

FAX……………………….....................
OCCUPATION.................................

COMPANY...............................……

Your email Attached to Ticket No. (649) and Ballot No: (SA/L)

Congratulations!! Once again.
Yours in service,                                

CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT

NAME:  MR WILLIAMS ALBERTON

An Ireland-themed Yahoo lottery email scam:

Text:

UK Office: Yahoo! UK Ltd 125 Shaftesbury Avenue (5th Floor), London, WC2H 8AD.
This is to inform you that you have won a prize money of (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND GREAT BRITAIN POUNDS)
£1.5M In the Yahoo! UK Ireland Promotion 2026 which is organized by YAHOO, GMAIL & WINDOWS LIVE every Three years
YAHOO, GMAIL and MICROSOFT Collects all the email addresses of the people that are active online, among the Millions that
subscribed to Yahoo and Gmail and few from other E-mail providers. Two people are selected every Three years to benefit from
this promotion and you are one of the two Selected Winners.
(Payment of prize and claim)
Winners shall be paid in accordance with his/her Settlement Center. Yahoo Prize Award must be claimed no later than 14 working
days, from date of Draw Notification. Any prize not claimed with in this period will be forfeited.
Stated below are your identification numbers: Code Number: UK/8273556492/LK, Ticket Number: UK/ 2136564212/LK,
Winning Number: UK/1444656468/LK,
These numbers fall within the Johannesburg Location file, you are requested to contact our claim agent in South Africa and send
your winning identification numbers to him:
Payment Manager Approved Information
Call /Whatsapp +27 735665670
Name: Hon. William Taylor
E-Mail: sawilliamtaylor@gmail.com or inc01k2@yahoo.com
You are advised to send the following information to your Claims Agent to facilitate the release of your fund to you.
1. Full name............................
2. Country...............................
3. Contact Address..................
4. Telephone Number..............
5. E-Mail Address.....................
Congratulations! Once again,
MP Sir. Keir Starmer.
Warning!
Do not tell people about your Prize Award until your money is successfully handed over to you to avoid disqualification that may
arise from double claim.
You may also receive similar e-mails from people portraying to be other Organizations of Yahoo Inc. This is solely to collect your personal
informationfrom you and lay claim over your winning. In event that you receive any e-mail similar to the notification letter that was sent to you, kindly
delete it from your mailbox and give no further correspondence to such person or any body.
Yahoo or Microsoft Worldwide shall not be held responsible for any loss of fund arising from the above mentioned. PLS SEND YOUR
REPLY TO YOUR PAYMENT MANAGER EMAIL ADDRESS: sawilliamtaylor@gmail.com or inc01k2@yahoo.com Copyright @2026 Yahoo!
Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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:

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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

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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?

Spam emails are not personal, even if they include details relevant to the recipients. This mail is sent out in massive operations – hence, thousands of users receive identical or incredibly similar emails.

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

If you have provided personally identifiable or finance-related information (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay. And if you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and inform their official support.

I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, opening/reading an email is harmless. Systems are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.

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

Whether the device was compromised might depend on the format of the opened file. If it was an executable (.exe, .run, etc.) – most likely, yes – since these files cause infections almost without fail. However, you might have avoided triggering the malware download/installation chain if it was a document (.doc, .xls, .one, .pdf, etc.). These formats may need additional user interaction to initiate infection processes (e.g., enabling macros, clicking embedded content, etc.).

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to scan systems and eliminate all kinds of threats. It can detect and remove most of the known malware infections. Remember that sophisticated malicious programs tend to hide deep within systems – therefore, performing a complete system scan is crucial.