searching google.com for "bugbear virus removal" provides :

https://www.europe.f-secure.com/support/technical/av5/support-issue-2002100200.shtml (which has a standalone removal tool)

or

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

Investing in some virus software's probably not a bad idea, but only if you keep the virus definitions up to date (most of them have an online updating scheme these days)

Also, be sensible about file attachments. If you don't know why they sent it to you, ask before you open it (and if the person says "huh ? I didn't send you anything !" then you know...)

thanks Cos, I'm clean now....I think I got it from uni...what virus software is the best? I hear Norton isn't very good....