This describes a safer way to check the contents of Word files you receive by email and suspect might be damaged or have malicious content (like a virus).
If you receive a Word document as an attachment in an email and suspect it might be problematic (for example it might be infected with a virus, or contain deliberately damaged content designed to make Word crash) you can display it using an alternative program which is unlikely to be susceptible to the same issues.
Note 1: There is still some risk involved, so if you want to be cautious, do not open it, even using alternative methods like this; just delete it instead.
Note 2: This assumes Pages is installed on your Mac (it is standard on most).
Note 3: A similar technique can be used for other file types. For Excel files, use Numbers; for PowerPoint files, use Keynote. The warning in note 2, above, also applies to these.
Follow these steps...
Drag the attachment out of the email program to the desktop. Right-click on it and choose "Open With", then "Pages". Note: If you don't use right-click much, hold down the control key, then click. The file will open in Pages (hopefully, safely).
Note: This should be safe, because any defects in Word which might be exploited should not affect Pages. However, nothing can be guaranteed, so if you have any doubts, just delete the email message, along with its attachment(s).
My latest blog post: Think for Yourself: In the end, everything is just an opinion. Be skeptical, and think for yourself! (posted 2026-04-25).
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