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 Worried About Getting a Computer Virus?
Getting a computer virus can happen to anyone. Maybe someone sent you an email message that contains a bad file with a virus that starts erasing your computer hard drive. If this happens, what do you do?
There are thousands of computer viruses circulating, most of them are transmitted when you run a program that comes within an attachment (ie. an .exe, or strange file extension) and/or 'macro viruses' transmitted by email programs that use Microsoft Programs. Some viruses can be transmitted by a program or floppy diskette that may infect your computer.
For those people who think they have a Computer Virus we have prepared a couple recommendations that may help you. Most importantly, you should be using a good anti-virus program that has notified you of the possible infection. This program should protect you from most virus attacks and should have a simple option of keeping the database up-to-date over the internet - this is important because viruses change almost daily!
RECOMMENDATIONS
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don't open files you aren't sure of the
origin or file type |
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teach family and colleagues to not open
strange file extensions, especially if you don't know
the person who is sending it |
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don't trade software programs with friends
and be very suspicious of programs that people send you.
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don't install pirated (ie. stolen/copied)
software or strange programs that you shouldn't be installing. |
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continually upgrade your anti-virus definition
files and use a program that you can click and update
online |
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make sure you know of a computer service
store who can help you in the event of an emergency |
STEPS IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A VIRUS
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disconnect the computer from your network
but try to leave the computer on (some viruses may be
activated on a reboot so you want to understand the virus
first and/or not panic) |
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'quarantine' the computer and contact someone
in your organization or household who can help you service
it |
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run anti-virus programs that are already
installed and most of the time this will disinfect your
system (if the program is current) |
BACKUPS
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we recommend you keeping a backup of your
computer in a safe place |
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keep backups in a rotation with a reasonable
amount of older copies just in case you need to reach
back to a non-infected date and time |
PROGAMS & LINKS
Storm
Support Tips and Tricks
While everyone agrees that viruses are a "Bad Thing,"
the solution to this problem seems to have escaped many people.
The best solution for this one is really very simple: Self
Control. This document contains simple instructions on how
to stop viruses cold.
1. Beware of ALL e-mail attachments.
An attachment is a part of an e-mail that's not the text.
It's an added bit at the bottom. Attachments can be anything;
a picture, a word processing document, a program, a video
file, or anything that's not just text. Depending on your
e-mail program the attachment can show up in different ways
but it's usually an icon somewhere on the e-mail.
2. Don't depend on virus scanners to kill viruses attached
to emails.
No anti-virus program is 100% effective. Many of the viruses
that get distributed through email do so before the people
who maintain the scanner programs can update the program to
detect the virus. It's a pretty good bet that you have not
updated your virus definition file in a while either. Virus
scanners offer very little protection for these kinds of viruses.
To maximize the effectiveness of anti-virus programs be sure
to update your virus definitions and scan your system on a
regular basis.
3. Look at the attachment name.
The first part of the name is unimportant. It's the LAST part
after the last dot "." that tells you what kind
of file it is. This is called the file's extension. Some people
have their computers set to not show extensions for certain
files. Windows users should make sure that this option is
turned off. The easiest way is to double click on "My
Computer" and look in the "View" menu for "Folder
Options". If it's not there, look under the "Tools"
menu. Once that is opened, look for the "View" tab
- in there is a series of checkboxes. Make sure that "Hide
File Extensions for Known File Types" is unchecked. Here's
a basic rundown on file types and what danger level they pose
to your system. Be careful of filenames that have more than
one dot in it: GreatPic.jpg.vbs is a VBS file and is very
dangerous.
4. Don't download or run anything from a source that you
don't completely trust.
A lot of fun little joke programs or "useful" tools
can have stuff attached to them without you being aware of
it. Make sure that everything you run is from a trusted source
and that you have scanned it with an up to date anti-virus
program before running it.
By following these simple guidelines you can greatly decrease
your chances of your system being infected with a virus.
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