Prevention
Viruses are most often transmitted via e-mail, IRC, and file sharing programs like Morpheus. Therefore, it is critical that you take steps to reduce the potential for infection. In addition to following the steps listed below in the Protection section, you should:
- NOT open e-mail attachments or other files from unknown people
- suspect all attachments you receive, even those from people you know
Additional information on preventing computer viruses can be found in the IU Knowledge Base article Some tips for avoiding computer viruses.
Protection
Indiana University has a site license for Norton AntiVirus (NAV) from Symantec. This product is available to all students, faculty, and staff for use on office or home machines. Install NAV to protect your Macintosh and Windows computers against virus infections.
New viruses are found daily, so it's not enough just to install NAV. Anti-virus vendors release new viruses signatures, often referred to as virus patterns, that can detect these new viruses. You should configure NAV's LiveUpdate process to update your virus patterns at least once a week and more often if you routinely share files with others. This process can be scheduled so it doesn't require your constant attention.
Refer to the following KB articles for additional documentation on Norton AntiVirus software:
- Using Norton AntiVirus in Windows, how do I scan a file, a folder, or a drive for viruses?
- What is Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software, and where can I get it??
Departmental Local Support Providers (LSPs) and Support Center staff can use NAV Corporate Edition in a managed installation to automatically push new virus patterns out to the computers they manage.
Stay Informed
The UISO has established a university-wide mailing list dedicated to virus discussions. This list, virus-l@listserv.indiana.edu, is unmoderated and open to anyone wishing to stay abreast of virus information, outbreaks, and protection methods at the university. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.indiana.edu with a body of subscribe virus-l. Please be sure to verify questionable virus reports against the following virus hoax sites, before posting questions about them to virus-l.
- Hoaxbusters
- Symantec Hoax Information
- DataFellows Virus Hoax Warnings
- Truth About Computer Myths and Hoaxes
It's important to note that the UISO Bulletins service will still be the UISO's primary vehicle for alerting the larger, non-technical user community of widespread virus outbreaks at the university. virus-l has been created for computer technicians to discuss all aspects of computer viruses.
