Computer & Virus

Computer & Viruses

The last couple of months have seen a large rise in the number of
computer viruses that are out there and spreading via e-mail.
The following guidelines may give you a fighting chance.

I have divided this page into two sections - a quick guide for
those who are experienced, or are short on time, and a more
detailed section for anyone wanting more details.

Please do not ignore computer viruses - they can range from
nuisance or joke programs to ones that erase the entire hard disk.

Quick Guide:

1. Keep a regular backup of your important files (on floppy, zip disk, writeable CD, tape, another hard disk, etc.) 2. Be aware that most current viruses arrive as e-mail attachments. Be very suspicious of any attachment that has any of the following file extensions: .exe .vbs .scr .vbe .com .bat .shs .cpl .dll .ocx .pif .drv .lnk .bin .sys .eml .nws (do not click on attachment files whose names end with any of the above) These attachments almost always arrive from someone you know (without that person's knowledge), so attachments are not safe just because you know the sender. Note: Opening the mail itself is safe, but clicking on any attachment can spread the virus instantly. 3. Update your virus scan program now if you haven't done it for over a month. For PC users, I recommend the following: Use a web browser to connect to http://www.neurophys.wisc.edu/ftp_arch/virus/ and download and install the latest version of the Command Antivirus program. Macintosh users, please either use the anti-virus program that came with your Mac, or consider purchasing Netware Associates Virex CD from DoIT (approx. $38). 4. Update the virus definition files regulary, typically once a week but no fewer than once a month. See the detailed section below for how to do this. 5. It is impossible for any anti-virus program to protect against all new viruses, so your best protection is to be very cautious about opening e-mail attachments. See below for more details. 6. Finally, if you do detect (or suspect) a virus, please let me (Ravi) know so we can keep track of the incidence of outbreaks. I can also help you clean up the virus.

Detailed Guide:

* To update virus definition files: (These instructions are for Command
Anti-virus for Windows only) Start the Command anti-virus program
by double-clicking on the yellow "C" icon in the lower right corner
of your desktop (near the time). A window titled "Command AntiVirus"
should appear on your desktop within 10 seconds.

1. If you have never done this before then you need to enter
the server address for automatic updates. (If you have already
entered the server address previously then skip to step (2) below).
*Click on "Preferences" then select "Advanced..."
o Click on the tab labeled "Update Deffiles now"
o Select each entry in that Window and click on delete
each time to remove them all.
o Click on the "Add" button.
o In the Site Path field, enter
http://www.uwex.edu/software/uw-only/f-prot/CSSCntrl/
(note: address is case-sensitive).
o Leave the Username and Password fields blank,
and click on OK.
o Click OK again to return to the main Command
AntiVirus window.
o Proceed to (2) below and update the Definition Files.
2. Update Definition Files as follows:
o Open the main "Command AntiVirus" window.
o Click once only on the button labeled "Update Deffiles"
and watch the Definition Files being updated. A series of
message boxes should appear on the screen showing
the progress of the update. Finally, after a variable time that
depends on network speed, a window appears asking
whether you want to view the results of the update process.
o Click on the "No" button.
o From the menu, select "Help" and "About Command....
" to view the dates upto which the definition files
(SIGN.DEF and MACRO.DEF) have been updated.
o Click on OK and then close the Command AntiVirus window.


You should update your definition files about once a month.

* What is a Computer Virus: A Computer Virus is simply a
computer program with malicious intent. These programs
are usually small in size, and the more clever ones hide
themselves within other innocent programs (e.g. within NOTEPAD),
hence the "virus" in their name. In fact the technical difference
between a Computer Virus and a Computer Worm is that the
virus inserts itself within some other legitimate program, while
the Worm exists as a standalone program. From a user's
perspective this distiction is somewhat moot, and a worm or
a virus can do equal damage. In fact the word "worm" is used
less these days, and virus is often applied to both types of programs.

Viruses are usually written by students with time on their hands,
though a few are very sophisticated and obviously written by
professionals (disgruntled employees, frustrated programmers etc.).
While there are over 30,000 known computer viruses, the number
of truly original viruses is actually quite limited, as seen by the number
of copy-cat viruses that proliferate after any well-publicized virus
incident. For example, there are apparently several hundered