I understand that if you open an email, especially one with an attachment, you can get a virus. But can you get a virus simply by visiting, or clicking on a link, for a website?
The answer is yes. Definitely, positively absolutely yes, but only really likely from untrusted sites rather than amazon.co.uk. Also, especially if you use Internet Explorer and especially if you haven't got a suite of software which you keep up to date: antivirus, firewall, Windows Updates, anti-spyware progs etc.
do yourself two favours:
1: dont use internet explorer, it is full of holes, trry something like netscape instead
2. use a firewall - norton is a good one and has a free subscription if you look in the right places ;-)