WHAT IS THE FIRST THING TO DO IF I THINK I’VE BEEN INFECTED?
WHAT IS A VIRUS? WHAT IS A TROJAN? ARE THEY THE SAME?
WHY ARE VIRUSES BAD NEWS?
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT A VIRUS INFECTION?
HOW DO I GET ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE?
HOW DO I KEEP MY ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE UP TO DATE?
WHAT DO I DO IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO?
 

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING TO DO IF I THINK I’VE BEEN INFECTED?

Don't panic! Indeed, don't do anything. A lot of the `damage done by viruses’ can actually be damage done by people doing things before they're sure of what they ought to do. If you're not sure what to do next contact the UND Help Center, 777-2222.

WHAT IS A VIRUS? WHAT IS A TROJAN? ARE THEY THE SAME?

Whether it’s a virus or a trojan it can infect your computer. What it does after infecting your computer determines what it is. A virus is a program that copies itself over and over and over on your computer. A virus need do no more than replicate in order to be a virus. If the virus does something like beeping the keyboard, displaying a message or something nasty that you weren't expecting that program would be called a trojan. If the trojan starts to replicate itself then its called a virus again. It all sounds like word games, but the bottom line is they both infect and you don’t want either.

WHY ARE VIRUSES BAD NEWS?

If a virus does nothing but copy itself, why do people get so worked up when they have one?

For one thing the virus could be a trojan waiting for a certain day to run. If you don't get rid of the virus, there is a strong likelihood that eventually you'll pass it on to someone in the office or department or campus, who will be upset. As it spreads that will mean more people have to be disinfected, which mean more time is lost out of the workday not to mention the possible loss of data.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT A VIRUS INFECTION?

Every new file introduced to your computer should be virus checked before it is used. This includes floppy disks with data as well as software. This could be done using a scanner such as FindVirus, which could be installed on every computer. Alternatively, you can make the whole thing as transparent and painless as possible by installing an on-access scanner, such as VirusScan [for all versions of Windows]. This means that everything is automatically scanned without the user being aware of it [unless, of course, a virus is found].

Remember anti-virus software only works if it’s current so keep it up to date. There are precautions that can be done outside of anti-virus software. Do not open or run e-mail attachments from people or listservs you don’t know. If this happens to you delete the message right away, better safe then sorry.

HOW DO I GET ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE?

All student, staff and faculty of UND can download anti-virus software, free of charge, from the HECN Software Downloads at http://its.ndsu.nodak.edu/software_download/. Just pick the platform you need and download McAfee for Windows computers and Virex for Macintosh computers.

HOW DO I KEEP MY ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE UP TO DATE?

This task becomes more challenging, as new viruses seem to appear daily. Your anti-virus software is set to do automatic updates at least once a week.  The UND Help Center has put togather instructions for special configuration options for McAfee VirussScan 8.0.  At the present time Virex does not offer automatic updates.

WHAT DO I DO IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO?

If you don’t know if you have virus software or how to use your software or even if it is up to date call the UND Help Center at 777-2222. If you're wondering if your computer is infected or what a virus is call the UND Help Center at 777-2222. If you have any computer questions call the UND Help Center at 777-2222.