Which type of email attachment might contain a virus?

• A. Text files (.txt)
• B. Executable files (.exe)
• C. Image files (.jpg)
• D. Word documents (.docx)

Answer: (B)

Executable files, such as those with the .exe extension, are designed to run programs when opened. This capability makes them particularly susceptible to being used as carriers for malware, including viruses. Since they execute code upon being opened, if a user inadvertently downloads and runs a malicious executable file, it can compromise the system's security by allowing the virus to run and potentially spread.

On the other hand, text files typically contain plain text information and do not execute any code, making them much safer. Image files, like .jpgs, primarily store visual data and do not usually include executable code, which further reduces the risk of carrying malware. Word documents, while they can contain macros that might be exploited for malicious reasons, are generally less risky than executable files when it comes to carrying viruses. Therefore, executable files stand out as a clear threat compared to these other file types.