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Reboot to protect against latest computer viruses

11:29 a.m., March 2, 2004--IT-User Services advises all University computer users to reboot their computers to initiate automatic updating of their McAfee Anti-Virus software to protect against the latest round of computer viruses that are attacking Windows computers.

The virus currently plaguing the campus arrives as an e-mail message from a "spoofed address," has a “.zip” attachment and prompts users for an “archive password” to open up an executable file.

IT User Services advises those who receive e-mails that list a “password for archive” to immediately delete the e-mail without opening the attachment or entering a password.

The e-mails appear to come from UD departments, or other reputable sources, and include strange subject lines such as: “Hey, ya! =)),” “Hi! :-),” “ello! =)),” or “Weeeee! ;))).”

According to Beth Miller, IT-User Services, “McAfee has released new DAT files due to the risk posed by these viruses. They are on our local server and ready for download.”

The copy of McAfee's anti-virus software as configured for use by UD users automatically checks for the latest updates every time an on-campus computer is rebooted and every time an off-campus computer senses an Internet connection. The latest DAT is number 4331. For more information visit [www.udel.edu/help/].

Miller also reminds users never to open unexpected attachments to e-mail messages without checking with the sender. “Our users need to be careful as many of these viruses are spread as attachments to e-mail,” she said.

Besides saving energy, Miller said that turning off computers every evening allows all Windows computers to download the latest updates to McAfee every morning when the computer is restarted.

For more about the latest round of viruses against which you need to protect your computer, go to [http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/alert.htm].

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