Are you worried about downloading your e-mail because of the ILOVEYOU virus and other copycat viruses? Don't worry. You cannot get the ILOVEYOU virus just from downloading your e-mail. If someone sends the infamous ILOVEYOU e-mail to you, do not panic.

The ILOVEYOU e-mail itself will not hurt your computer; only the attached file called LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT. can cause damage, if you open it. How do you know if an e-mail has a file attached to it? If an e-mail has an attachment, there will be a picture of a paperclip next to it. Do NOT click on any file named LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.or the paperclip next to it. Delete it immediately.

What happens if I get the ILOVEYOU virus? If you open the LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT attachment, the love bug can keep your Windows computer so busy creating new files and overwriting existing files that your computer will be very slow and take a long time to do other things such as open files that you click on. It will also delete all of your files -- types of graphic and sound files. Finally, the ILOVEYOU virus will send itself to everyone in your Microsoft Outlook address book, if you have one. This is why so many e-mail systems were down -- they had a lot more e-mail to process because we all have so many people in our address books.

The Love bug only affects PC users because the virus is a Microsoft Visual Basic script, and only PCs use Visual Basic. Macintosh and UNIX computers are not affected.

How can I protect myself from computer viruses? There are 4 simple things you can do to keep viruses out of your computer regardless of which software or what type of computer you use.

1 If you don't already have an anti-virus software application on your computer, get one. If you're a home or individual user, you can download anti-virus software for free.

The local free software site is at http:/tucows.bermuda.bm, In the search field, select your operating system (Windows 9 5/98, etc) and do a search for virus.

2 Update your anti-virus software. Now that you have anti-virus software, make sure it's up to date. Some anti-virus programmes have a feature that automatically links to the Internet and adds new virus detection code whenever the software vendor discovers a new threat.

3 Run your anti-virus software regularly. If you're just loading anti-virus software for the first time, it's a good idea to let it scan your entire hard disk. Often anti-virus programmes can be set to run each time the computer is rebooted or on a periodic schedule. Some will run in the background while you are connected to the Internet. Make it a regular habit to scan for viruses.

4. The best way to avoid getting a virus from e-mail is to never open an attached file that comes as a surprise, no matter who sent it to you. Some viruses, like the ILOVEYOU virus, use the mailing lists from an infected computer and send out new messages with their destructive files attached.

When you receive an attachment, take a few minutes and confirm with the sender that the contents are safe. Always scan the attached files first for viruses.

If you use an older version of either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Outlook, you must install the Microsoft security patch to make sure you are protected from viruses when you download your e-mail. Some versions of these applications automatically open things in the background. People who use Netscape or other mail applications to read e-mail and people who use Macs normally do not get viruses by simply downloading e-mail.

If you use an older version of one of these Microsoft applications, there are still ways for you to protect your computer.

1. Install the Microsoft security patch Internet Explorer (IE) (it's free on - the Microsoft Windows Update web page). Users of Netscape and other Internet browsers do not have the same security hole or patch needs.

2. Increase the Microsoft Security Settings. From under the Internet Explorer View menu, select Internet Options and click on the Security tab, and select "High'' for the security rating.

3. Disable Windows Scripting Host. From the Windows Add/Remove control panel, click on the Windows Setup Tab. Double-click on "Accessories'' and deselect (no checkmark) Windows Scripting Host.

Michelle Swartz is Internet Communications Consultant for Logic Communications. Her column, Logged On, appears on the second and last Wednesday of every month in The Royal Gazette's new Personal Technology section. The column aims to advise and assist computer and Internet users.