Administrative

Instructional

Warning!

In today's world, the Internet is teeming with malicious and destructive hoodlums.  Their cruel ambition is to wreak havoc on naive or careless people by infecting their computers with viruses, worms and Trojan horses.  

According to Network Associates Technology,  more than 81,000 computer viruses exist today.  A favorite method for delivering their vindictive payload is via Email.  To protect yourself, please follow these simple guidelines.
 

Virus Detection and Prevention Tips

1. Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
    
2. Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.
    
3. Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
    
4. Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any of them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
    
5. Do not download any files from strangers.
    
6. Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an antivirus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own antivirus software.
    
7. Update your antivirus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be, at the least, the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.
    
8. Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
    
9. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.
    
10. If you are in doubt about any potential virus-related situation you find yourself in, please contact Information Systems at 632-3238.

Source: McAfee Security
 

Are You Protected?

• Microsoft Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP
• Macintosh 7/7.5/8/9
• Linux RedHat
• Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5+/2000.

You must also protect your personal computer.  Microsoft Corp. provides a comprehensive list of antivirus programs.  Symantec Corporation's Norton Antivirus  and Network Associates Technology's McAfee VirusScan® are two of the most popular titles today.  There are also free antivirus programs available.  Grisoft, Inc.'s AVG Free Edition is available for home users.

For More Information

Computer Virus FAQ for New Users
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/computer-virus/new-users/

This FAQ answers some of the questions that new users ask about computer viruses and Trojan horse programs.  It also tries to clear up some common misconceptions about viruses and E-mail.
 

Introduction to viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses.
 

The National Cyber Alert System warns of cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and offers advice and solutions.