Can a PDF file contain a virus?

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

Sorry I just realise that I wasn't so clear.

Not really; I knew what you meant.

When I have suspiscious files, I use to _drag_ them in Notepad or
Quickview or Foxit already open windows. I always _avoid to double
click_ on them in order not to launch possible programs (renamed
files for example).

This is good. If, in the generally rare case, the attachment does have a
socially-engineered file name, such as:

britney-spears-naked.pdf .exe

you most likely won't actually launch the .exe if you drag it into
FoxItReader. But then, how do we know Windows will actually comply with
that choice?

These extensions correspond more or less to those listed in the
Quarantined file of Zone Alarm.

I also avoid to open .xls and .doc in Excel or Word, even by dragging
the files.

If you were not expecting the files from trusted senders, that is a good
plan. ... Even if you *were* expecting them, it is best to scan them
first with your up-to-date a-v program.