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If an email attachment such as .docx, jpeg, .xls, .pdf, etc. contains virus/malware and if I open it for preview (not opening it in Google Docs or downloading it and opening it) then can I get infected?

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You are actually opening the file in the browser. If the browser has a vulnerability that the file exploits, it is possible (though unlikely at this point) that you can get infected.

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  • But is it too likely? No
    – multithr3at3d
    Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 13:25
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    @multithr3at3d oops, forgot to add a risk assessment there. Added.
    – schroeder ♦
    Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 13:55
  • Could you develop on why it's more unlikely in a browser? (for schroeder and @multithr3at3d)
    – Pacopaco
    Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 14:39
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    @Pacopaco just that modern browsers getting infected from a file is going to be really difficult with sandboxing, etc.
    – schroeder ♦
    Commented Feb 26, 2021 at 16:04

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