The Symantec Endpoint Protection client Internet Email Auto-Protect actions must be explicitly configured at the top, Security Risks, level and not be overridden by the Spyware sub-level.

Email has become one of the most frequently used methods of spreading malware, through embedded HTML code and attachments. User awareness and training, warning users to not open suspicious emails or email attachments and to not click hyperlinks, etc. from unknown or known senders, will not fully protect from email-borne malware. Mass mailing worms are similar to email-borne viruses but are self-contained rather than being designed to infect an existing file. Protecting from email-borne viruses and mass mailing worms by scanning email upon delivery mitigates the risk of infection via email.