Vol. 17, No. 38	Aug. 6, 1998

Virus protection is available and essential

Computer virus protection is a crucial aspect in managing electronic files. Although some viruses are simply nuisances, many viruses can destroy data and render computers inoperable. Users have a number of options to safeguard both files and computers.

On-campus virus protection consulting help and software

For general information about viruses and virus protection, employees should visit the University's Help Center web page <http://www.udel.edu/help>. Scroll down the left-side window and click on "Viruses and Virus Protection."

These pages include information about Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit, a program UD has licensed for use on University computers as well as computers owned by employees and students. The license covers versions for DOS, Windows (3.x, 95 or NT) and Macintosh computers.

These pages explain the differences between types of viruses as well as information about how to distinguish between real viruses and virus hoaxes (e.g., the "Good Times" hoax that circulates regularly).

Off-campus virus protection help

The following web sites provide additional information about computer viruses:

• Data Fellows Hoax Warnings Page-a very comprehensive site:http://www.Datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm

• IBM's "Hype Alert": http://www.av.ibm.com/BreakingNews/HypeAlert/

• Symantec's Hoax Alerts: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

How to handle virus alerts

Do not forward virus alerts to others without first checking the validity of the virus. Individuals who receive a virus alert that is not listed at one of the three virus hoax web sites mentioned in this article should contact the Help Center at 831-6000 to ask UD staff to assess the validity of the warning. The Help Center maintains a web page dedicated to virus alerts.

Programs to download from the Internet

Everyone should scan all programs (or executable files) received over the Internet for viruses before the files are used. This policy applies to shareware or other programs acquired via the web, ftp or as attachments to e-mail.

A newer type of computer virus-a macro virus-that can affect Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Lotus AmiPro files exists. Because an infected file can be received as an attachment to an e-mail message, everyone should be vigilant about checking Word, Excel and AmiPro attachments for viruses before viewing or using the files.

For those using a desktop mail reader, the program should not be set to open attached Word, Excel or AmiPro files automatically.

Note: There are no known viruses that attach themselves to other "data" files (e.g., JPEG or GIF images, WordPerfect files, text files, etc.).

A new computer virus

A new virus-called "Win32/ CIH"-has recently been detected. This virus can seriously damage files and possibly the computer. Win32/CIH infects Windows 95/98 computers.

Although the current version of Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit (7.84) will not detect Win32/CIH, employees can download a file from the University's web site that will eradicate this virus.

For information about how to download this file, link to the University's Help Center web page <http://www.udel.edu/help/>. In the left-hand window, click on "Hot Topics" and then click on "Virus Update!"