How to Use Yahoo Mail as a Virus Scanner

Scan files for viruses by attaching them to messages in Yahoo Mail

Virus warning on computer screen

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by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated September 26, 2019

Yahoo Mail automatically checks files you send as attachments for known viruses. Therefore, it's possible to use Yahoo Mail as a virus scanner.

Instructions in this article apply to the standard web version of Yahoo Mail. Steps are the same for all web browsers.

How to Use Yahoo Mail as a Virus Scanner

To scan a file for viruses with Yahoo Mail:

  1. Create a new message and select the paperclip located in the bottom toolbar.

    A new message in Yahoo Mail with the attachment icon highlighted

  2. Select the file you wish to scan, then select Open.

    Attaching an image in Yahoo Mail. The Open button is highlighted

  3. Yahoo Mail tells you if it detects a virus within the file. If it detects no threat, the file is attached to the message, and a preview image appears.

    A new message in Yahoo Mail with an attachment preview highlighted

  4. To remove the file, hover over the attachment preview, select the ellipses (...), then select Remove.

    A new message in Yahoo Mail with the ellipses and Remove Attachment option highlighted

  5. Alternatively, delete the email and its draft to remove the attachment.

Due to Yahoo Mail attachment size limits, you cannot scan files larger than 25 MB.