Computer viruses CANNOT be transmitted by simply reading E-mail. They can only be transmitted through the DOWNLOADING & OPENING of ATTACHED FILES. TEXT cannot transmit a virus; only EXECUTABLE FILES are capable of doing so. Unfortunately, even some system administrators are not aware of this, however this info is well documented in AOL's information on how viruses are transmitted. Everyone else, please check with your internet service provider. I have received countless panic warnings from well-meaning friends over the last months regarding viruses that supposedly are transmitted via e-mail messages. Perpetuating the panic by forwarding the messages on to other users is as difficult to stamp out as a chain letter; it keeps popping up in the most unexpected places. Everyone should contact their internet provider to verify the accuracy of their information BEFORE they pass it on to others whose inexperience with computers & the internet make them vulnerable to unnecessary fears & panic. Because there are indeed some pretty destructive viruses floating around out there, one should ALWAYS exercise care in downloading any files from the internet, whether they be attached to e-mail or not. The best defense is to know the person/business/entity you are accepting the file from before you download it, don't accept any file from anyone you are not sure of, and have good virus detecting software installed on your computer. McAfee & Norton both provide for updates to be downloaded from the internet, keeping virus detection current. Finally, don't forget to BACK UP YOUR FILES REGULARLY. Best wishes to all, Fay