SERIOUS VIRUS ALERTS AND VIRUS PROTECTION*

It is always important to be conscious of the presence of any viruses that may affect your computer. Here are some tips for how to manage protective software and minimize your risk for these hazards.

The destructive and time-consuming capabilities of viruses are things everyone should hope to avoid, but being careful is simply not enough these days. As virus programs become more sophisticated computers users must remain vigilant in finding ways to block or prevent the spread of these damaging nuisances.

Outside of any software or hardware protections you may have for your computer, there are some common sense guidelines to use to protect yourself from infection.

• Be aware of the file names on the attachments you are opening, and whom they are coming from. For example, if an attachment is named 'test.doc', the .doc tells you it is a Microsoft Word file. These files can contain Microsoft Word "macros" (computer programs), which can infect your computer.
• If the attachments have names that you don't recognize, like 'smiley.vbs' or 'sexy.exe', do not open them. The "vbs" stands for Visual Basic Script, and "exe" stands for "executable"; both of which signify computer programs which will run within your computer when opened. Ask whomever sent you the message what the file really is.
• Jokes propagated via e-mail can carry computer viruses. You should be very suspicious of these. Your best friend may unwittingly send you a joke infected with a virus.
• Another type of computer virus stores itself within the "boot sector" of 3 1/2" diskettes. When people share disks, the so-called boot sector viruses can be spread. Whenever you receive a 3 1/2" diskette from someone, you should immediately scan it for viruses before opening or copying any files from the disk. Never leave any 3 1/2" diskette in your computer's floppy disk drive after turning off your computer. Switching on a computer with a boot sector infected diskette in the disk drive will infect the computer.

An important thing for any computer user to understand is that it is not enough to obtain some virus protection software, install it once, and never worry about it again. Users must be on a constant lookout for new and innovative viruses that may be designed to go around their current protection software.

Thus, it is advisable for all computer users to get into the habit of taking a few minutes each week to look for any new information that may detail the latest and sneakiest virus programs that may be making the rounds of the computer world. A regular visit to the web pages of some experts in virus protection is an excellent step towards finding the latest information about what may be a hazard to your computer. There are also often patches or programs any user can download for free to help protect their computer.

Whether you decide to buy a protective package, or find a free download from the Internet, regular searches for the latest information on new and improved viruses will go a long ways towards helping you keep your work protected. Looking for updates or better versions of protection programs is also a useful habit to get into.

Some of the more well-known Web sites that keep accurate and up-to-date information on viruses floating around the world are listed here for your use. Don't feel these are the only places to find accurate and useful information, but they are some of the most recognized sites for most any user.

• ZD NET is an exhaustive web page that holds information on thousands of computer and technology related products and issues. Doing a search on that page for information on viruses and protection software can be a great help. One useful and relevant link is the IT Security Resources page, which details many protection issues and options. This is a good place to get articles, reviews, free downloads and information on what is happening in the world of computer virus protection.
• Another commonly used resource is the McAfee.com home page. This site includes many articles on the latest virus threats and solutions. Specific information can be found at the McAfee.com Anti-Virus home page.
• Finally, and what is likely the best-known virus protection software company today, Norton Anti-Virus programs offer quality protection for potential infections. The company that makes this product is Symatec. Their Internet Security Site is another useful source of information on what any user should be aware of to protect their system.

A dangerous way that some viruses spread is through many of the commonly used e-mail clients; and viruses are written specifically to hurt users of these programs. The most typically targeted programs for these viruses is Microsoft Outlook. Here is an article on how to configure your Outlook program to help prevent viruses spreading without your approval or knowledge. Outlook and Automatic Viruses

One last related issue to the virus topic is the presence of "hoax" viruses. These are not true viruses but are instead rumors about some nasty virus. These hoaxes usually come in the form of an e-mail warning multiple users about a specific virus. While these do no actual damage to any the computer, they do clog our networks as people forward the warnings to friends or coworkers. It is a good practice to not send a virus warning to anyone else unless you are certain it is a real threat. The sites listed above also include articles and information on what may be a hoax or a simple rumor. Here are some pages dedicated to debunking hoaxes and saving everyone valuable time:

• Virus Hoax Information
• CIAC Hoax Busters

Click on the link at the end of this sentence to see an article written for the UMD ITSS info.tech.News December 2000 issue which details some more useful tips when dealing with viruses. Tips for Avoiding the New and Improved Viruses

The most important thing for any user to remember is that virus protection is a constant battle. As viruses change and adapt to "beat" the latest protection software it is important for all computer users to keep an ear toward what is happening in this area and take steps to maintain a high level of security. Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date.

Western Region memo e-mailed March 1, 2001 regarding computer viruses.

* Published originally by University of Minnesota Duluth, Information Technology Systems and Services: Info.Tech.News, February 2001; Rick Brill, Author. Reprinted with permission.

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