It is possible for certain viruses to infect a computer via the simple act of viewing an infected e-mail message.

Whilst it is true that most will be detected and blocked by modern anti–virus programs that are UP TO DATE, many of these programs may not have been updated with the latest virus definitions.

In it's standard form, Outlook Express displays the next unread message in what is called the "preview pane" This happens when you first launch Outlook Express or when you delete the message currently being read, so there is a risk of infection.

To disable the preview pane so that you can choose whether to open an email or not, follow the steps below
1. Launch Outlook Express
2. Click on the VIEW drop-down menu
3. Select the LAYOUT menu option
4. Un-toggle the SHOW PREVIEW PANE option ie remove tick from the check box
5. Click OK
To view an e-mail message, after the above setting, you will need to double-click on the message to display it in its own viewing window.

To delete an email after this change. Select it with one left click and click Delete.