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Securing your computer
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Securing your computer
Computer viruses and worms are in the news weekly. Your computer can be infected by a virus by inserting an infected disk or by running an infected program. Most of the current virus activity affects the Windows operating system and the most frequent source of virus infections is through email.
There are a number of viruses that, once they infect your computer, spread by emailing themselves to all the people listed in your Outlook addressbook. Since the resulting messages seem to come from someone you know, you're more likely to save and run the attachment and thus spread the virus further.
The following steps are general guidelines on how to protect yourself from computer viruses.
- Install virus protection software and update it regularly
- The UofM has a license to distribute Norton Anti-virus (NAV) software for both Windows and Macintosh. The Managed version is automatically updated; if you use the Personal version or suspect a problem, you should run LiveUpdate each day you use your computer to keep it current.
[ Download Norton Anti-virus ] [ Run LiveUpdate ] [ Run full scan ] - Run Windows Update service
- Windows Update Service is a service provided by Microsoft that enables you to get the latest updates available for your computer's operating system, software, and hardware. When you run "Windows Update", it scans your computer and provides you with a selection of updates tailored just for you.
[ Details ] - Enable Automatic Updates
- Automatic updates are a way to ensure that your computer system has the most current security patches and operating system updates.
[ Details ] - Activate the XP personal firewall
- Select START - Control Panel
- Double-click on Network and Internet Connections, then on Network Connections.
- Double-click on Local Area Connection, then select the Properties button.
- Click on the Advanced tab, then check the box for Protect my computer.
- Install and run Adaware and Spybot
- These programs will find and remove a variety of spyware and malware that may have been installed with this virus.
[ Details ] - Be cautious when opening email attachments
- Don't save and run any email attachments unless you're sure you know what the attached file is -- even if the message comes from someone you know. If in doubt, ask ITSS for advice. Do not open the file or email.
- Don't use Microsoft Outlook for email
- Outlook comes installed on every Windows computer, which is probably why it is the most common target virus writers use to spread their viruses. UMD ITSS recommends and supports the Mulberry email program for Macintosh, Windows, and Sunray. For those who do use Outlook for Windows, here is information on configuring Outlook to be less vulnerable to viruses.
- If you think you have been infected
- If you think you have been infected with a virus, inform ITSS. Do not panic or interrupt other users.
- If you work at home
- If you work on a computer at home, ensure that you follow the same procedures there as you do at work. Viruses can easily be brought into an organization along with work that has been done on a home PC.
Rev: 04.04 sab