Can you get viruses just by clicking e-mail subject?

[Lonkut]

I hear ppl getting viruses when they open the e-mail. Is that possible or do you have to download a file (the attachment) that comes with the e-mail? How can one put a virus on e-mail without attachments?

 

[dragokatzov]

generally no, you have to execute the file first
what email program are you using?

 

[kcwong]

Bugs in the email client can be exploited.

e.g. Buffer overflow causing code hidden in the malicious email to be executed. Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook have a lot of those in the past... but they're fixed now. Though if you install from a really old installer and do not update it, then you're vulnerable.