My computer says I have a virus, what do I do?
Stay calm and do NOT shut down your computer. Many viruses damage the computer at start up, and shutting down guarantees you will have to start it again. Second, read the message carefully. If the computer found a virus and cleaned or quarantined it, then you are all set - that's what it's supposed to do. If the computer found a virus that it cannot clean or quarantine, call the ITS Helpdesk (617-627-5898).

Do I have anti-virus software to protect my computer?
All computers set up by ITS should have anti-virus software. To check if your Windows computer has it, click the Start button, select Programs, and you should have either a Trend PC-Cillin or a Trend OfficeScan folder. To check your Macintosh computer, from the Finder, select Find under the File menu, and search for Virex; if that search comes up empty, search for Norton Antivirus. Either of those are Macintosh anti-virus programs.

I checked and I have no anti-virus software. How can I get some installed?
Contact the ITS Helpdesk (617-627-5898) to have the software installed.

What is a computer virus?
It is a program designed to replicate and spread itself without any intervention from its creator. The original computer viruses were mostly harmless; but modern viruses can delete programs or documents, damage the operating system, or open your computer to future abuse. Many viruses spread so quickly that they overload email systems, causing communication delays or outages.
Please check here for more information.

What is a virus hoax?
This is when you are warned to take some action to protect against a virus that doesn't exist. These hoaxes are often sent by well-meaning friends who believed them when they received them from other well-meaning friends. Distrust any email that advises you to delete a file to protect you from a virus. Always contact the ITS Helpdesk (617-627-5898) before acting on any such advice.
Please check here for more information.

How can I tell if the warning is real or a hoax?
Usually, virus hoaxes ask you to delete a file; so to check their veracity, search the list at http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoax.asp.
Please check here for more information.

How do viruses spread?
Most viruses are delivered through an email attachment, a hacker web site, or an insecure operating system.

How can I protect my computer?
You should always have an up-to-date anti-virus program running on your computer. If you're not sure whether or not you do, check your computer (see instructions above) or contact the ITS Helpdesk (617-627-5898). Beyond that, your protection strategy differs for each type of virus.

Tufts University scans all Granite and ASE email for viruses before each message gets to you. Any attachment with a virus will be replaced by a warning that the email had a virus. If you need the attachment, you should ask the person who sent it to scan his/her computer for viruses before re-sending it.

Even with server scanning, any suspicious attachment could still contain a virus. So the best way to handle that is to save the attachment to your computer and scan it before opening it. If you need help with this, contact the ITS Helpdesk (617-627-5898).

The best way to protect yourself from a hacker web site is to keep Internet Explorer and MS Office updated. Microsoft regularly releases patches to known vulnerabilities, so updating IE once a week or once a month isn't overkill. You can do this by launching Internet Explorer and selecting Windows Update from the Tools menu. MS Office updates can be obtained by following the instructions http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates/.

Additionally, keeping your operating system updated is the best protection from viruses that prey on an insecure OS. You can update both IE and your OS by launching Internet Explorer, clicking on Tools then Windows Update.

Macintosh users should also run regular MS Office and Macintosh OS updates to be safe. OS 9 and X users should set Software Update (under System Preferences) to run every week. OS 8.x users should check the Apple Computer web site for updates ( http://www.info.apple.com/support/downloads.html).

Mac users can check http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/ for Office updates.