Anti Virus Software
Most everyone today has heard the word virus thrown around when it comes to computers. We have heard of mass scares as news media have touted the destructive nature of these mysterious little pieces of software that most people do not understand. Viruses, worms, Trojan horses – all are words that get thrown around when talking about the same basic thing – software that is annoying and most of the time has malicious intent.
Most computer users have the same questions when it comes to viruses. What are viruses? How do they spread? How do I protect myself? What is an anti virus program, how do I get it, and are their different ones? Do viruses affect all OS’s or are some more susceptible than others? I have anti virus software – what else can I do to keep my computer more secure? We will try to answer these questions so you can be a more informed computer user.
What are viruses, worms and Trojan Horses?
A virus is a program that replicates itself, usually by attaching itself to other files and programs. A worm is a program that does not infect other programs but makes copies of itself. Trojan horse programs do not replicate nor make copies of themselves, but rely on other "manual" methods of distribution. We will use the term "viruses" to cover all forms of infections.
Viruses are spread in a variety of ways. Some examples:
- email attachments (such as Klez, Badtrans, MyParty)
- instant messaging links and attachments (such as Aplore)
- compromised web servers (such as Nimda)
- pirated Software (Trojan are often embedded in illegal 'warez')
- Usenet news groups
- Internet Relay Chat channels
- floppy diskettes
- file downloads (many backdoor Trojans are embedded with other files)
All viruses are different. Some activate on a certain day, but remain dormant until then. Others begin the attack as soon as the machine has been infected.
How do I protect myself from viruses?
A good way to protect yourself is to have a virus protection program and keep it up-to-date. Before running a download from an unknown site, or opening an email attachment, always be sure to scan it to ensure that it is not infected. If you do not know the source of a file do not open it. Even if you know the person who sent you a file, if you were not expecting it you may want to contact them before opening it. This is because many viruses automatically send themselves out to addresses it finds in files on the infected computer.
University Policy requires the use of an approved anti virus product for all Windows and Macintosh computers connected to the NC State network. For further details on the policy please see the university's Anti Virus Software Requirements. Note, anyone found to be in violation of this policy can have their computer blocked from access the network and could face other disciplinary actions.
What is an anti-virus program?
An anti-virus program is designed to protect your computer from possible virus infections. Most viruses are designed to operate in the background in a way that the user will not notice. Virus protection programs search for, detect, and attempt to remove these viruses. Anti-virus programs must be kept up-to-date in order for them to provide adequate protection. New viruses are being created every day and your anti-virus program can't always predict what they will be able to do or how they will work.
Where do I find a virus protection program?
NC State's ITD has negotiated an agreement with Trend Micro that allows the use of their software free of charge. Under the agreement, all NC State faculty, staff and students can use the Trend Microo antivirus software, free of charge, on their campus and home computers. For more information and to download the Trend Micro antivirus software visit http://www.ncsu.edu/antivirus/.
What if I'm running another operating besides Windows or Macintosh?
Due to the nature of the operating system, Linux, and other UNIX-like operating systems are not as susceptible to viruses. Thus an anti-virus program is not necessary. However, system security is still very important. If you run Linux, please keep your system up-to-date, do not run services you don't use, and consider protecting yourself with a firewall.
What else should I be doing to keep my computer more secure?
The simplest thing you can do to keep your computer secure is to never run programs you don't know about or don't need. Most viruses come in email attachments or in files downloaded from unknown or unreliable sources. By avoiding these types of files altogether, you can significantly reduce the chances of getting a virus. For more information on setting up your email to avoid viruses, spam, etc. see Email.
In addition to email and unreliable download sources, well known programs can also cause problems. Many file sharing applications can install spyware on your system to report information back to another source or provide other methods of accessing or obtaining information from your system. Avoid running programs you don't need to prevent unwanted access to your computer. For more information on spyware and protecting your computer from this type of malicious content see Spyware/Adware
As mentioned previously, keeping your system up to date is also crucial to system security. See OS Updates for more information.
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