i got an email from this address and subject which had an automatically
opening attachment - have i just got myself a virus or is it just some
annoying spywere thing?
Your computer is almost certainly infected.
From the headers of your post ...
X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200
This outdated microsoft is open to what's called the i-frame exploit,
which as you found out, allows attachments to auto-execute.
Most likely, this is the swen virus, although it could be one of a
number of email worms.
Assuming it is swen, disconnect your computer from the net, and use another
to browse
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]
for more info, and revmoval instructions.
Once it's been removed, run a proper full virus scan, and update your
software. Also, see some of the other posts here, about reducing the
amount of swen being sent to you, by munging your email address, in
usenet posts.
Regards, Dave Hodgins
(posted, and emailed).