Information Systems

Technology Guide - Virus Information

Computer Viruses

• E-mail messages and e-mail attachments
• Downloading MP3s, movies, or other files through file-sharing programs
• CD-Rs and DVD-Rs
• Instant Messenger attachments
• Sharing files incorrectly
• Not having the latest security updates on the computer

Protection

• Virus Scan: All R52 ThinkPads are loaded with Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition, which is updated regularly through the Internet. It will scan all files before they are opened, renamed, moved, copied, run, or saved. It can also help repair files if they become infected. A weekly scan for viruses will automatically run Tuesdays at 11am. It is important that you allow this scan to run to completion.
• Automatic Updates: Wake Forest will send out security updates or patches to the computer through the campus network. It is, therefore, extremely important that you regularly log on to the campus network, even if you live off campus. When you are notified that a new update is ready to be installed, please allow the update to continue.

Extra Protection: All incoming WFU e-mail is scanned for known viruses before it is delivered to you. In the event that you are sent an infected e-mail, the infected message will not be delivered..

Prevention
Viruses affect not only computers but the campus network. Network traffic caused by viruses can slow down Internet services or disrupt service for the entire campus. Please react swiftly to IS virus or security warnings to prevent network slow downs or disruptions. Also be sure to log on to the campus network regularly, even if you live off campus, to receive all necessary virus definitions and security patches.

Repair
If you believe the ThinkPad has become infected with a virus, scan all the files on the hard drive with Symantec Antivirus. Be sure you are using the most current virus definitions. These will install automatically with an Internet connection or can be manually installed. The scan will report if any files have been infected. You can also scan a particular file. See the Frequently Asked Questions about Viruses below for instructions to scan for viruses. If you have any questions, contact the Help Desk.

Frequently Asked Questions about Viruses

I got a message saying I had sent an e-mail that was rejected because it contained a virus. I never e-mailed the address. What is going on?
Viruses often "spoof" e-mail addresses so others may get a message that looks like it is from you but, in reality, it is not from you. There is nothing you can do to prevent this. To be sure you don't have a virus, run Symantec AntiVirus on the ThinkPad.

Someone said they got a message from me that was infected. What do I do?
First, be sure you actually sent them a message. Viruses often ‘spoof’ e-mail addresses and if you didn’t send the person a message, it may be a spoof. There is nothing you can do to prevent this. If you DID send them a message with an infected attachment, run Symantec AntiVirus on the ThinkPad (be sure you have the latest virus definition files).

How can I be sure that a file on my computer is not infected? Right-click on the suspected file. Select Scan for viruses. Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition will scan the file and tell you if it is infected. What should I do if I think my computer is infected with a virus? Start Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition by going to Start>Security and AntiVirus>Symantec AntiVirus. On the left side of the window select Scan Computer. On the right side of the window, click to place a check beside C: (R52). Click Scan in the lower right corner to begin scanning. The entire C: Drive will be scanned.

What will Symantec AntiVirus do with an infected file? It will attempt to repair the file. If it cannot, it will place the file in Quarantine, which prevents the file from being accessed until a fix is found or you delete it. Updated virus definitions may have fixes for quarentined files. What is the virus scan that runs every Tuesday at 11am? It is a weekly scan of your hard drive for viruses. It is important that you allow this scan to run to completion. Symantec Corporate Edition automatically updates virus definitions used in these scans. You can check for virus definition updates yourself by going to Start>Security and Antivirus>Symantec AntiVirus and clicking the Live Update button.