This could be because of using IE. If you are using the free McAfee A/V that AOL offers it may not be configured to check IE -- it may only be set to protect against viruses hitting AOL's mail program. What you were doing at the time you first ran into the virus may not be the cause. Joan In a message dated 9/9/2008 7:35:16 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Last week I acquired a virus that took over my IE access and had to pay big bucks to have it removed. Why and how? I was doing a google search for a new mouse and downloaded nothing. Go figure. These things happen. **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)