I have downloaded a pdf file from email attachment. I have downloaded it correctly, no problem. But when I tried to open it, then it is showing a message like... Adobe Reader could not open 'xyz.pdf' because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged. Is it really that pdf file is damaged now ?This pdf file is working properly at the sender's end. I had asked him again to send it but the problem is same.

Try sending your copy back to them and see if they can open your copy... not just open the original. If they can open that... the problem is in your machine... if they can't... they need to find out why its getting corrupted when its sent.

Do you have the newest version of Adobe Reader?

Make sure you have the latest Adobe Reader. You can download the latest for free from adobe.com. If you don't have the latest, that could be the reason for the message.

Or the file could be actually corrupted.
Also I find the Adobe Reader to be bloatware, you can try a free reader such as Better than Adobe PDF Reader and Acrobat (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/) but be careful on the installation to uncheck some components.
Some PDFs are created with functionality that only Adobe Reader can use but it's worth a try to use a lightweight reader such as Foxit.

From my experience, either you are not using latest Adobe Reader or your file really get corrupted due to virus.
Have you tried to open your email attachment on other PC?
You should first update Adobe Reader and scan your PC for any virus or malware. After that may be you could open your file without any issue.

or your file really get corrupted due to virus.


There are other reasons for corruption besides a virus. In fact, any Virus doesn't tend to corrupt individual files they attack access to the system. So, while everyone should be doing regular scans, it is unlikely a virus is causing this issue.

There are other reasons for corruption besides a virus. In fact, any Virus doesn't tend to corrupt individual files they attack access to the system. So, while everyone should be doing regular scans, it is unlikely a virus is causing this issue.

Thanks for correction!!
Yes,there may be some other reasons for corruption in a PDF file alongwith virus attack on the PC. Due to this I have suggested to open andverify PDF file on other PC.