Debbie, a "virus" is a computer program that someone adds to a file and tries to send out to everyone they can. The purpose of the virus is to totally mess up other computer programs. If your computer gets one, it may just re-send itself out to everyone on your email list, or it might also mess things up so badly your computer won't work anymore.

There is also something called, "Malware" that will try to fool you into buying products you don't need. Theh one being discussed makes a screen pop up that says you have a virus and just click "here" to fix it. It then takes you to their website to make you buy their program. Unfortunately, it blocks you from doing anything else until you get rid of it.

To avoid these issues, you can run an internet browser (the program you use to go on the internet) other than Explorer. Safari and Firefox are two popular ones.

But the best thing to do is to not open emails with attachments unless you are expecting something from someone and whatever you do, don't click on that popup if you see it!