Rebecca Sheehy
SLM 521
How to Avoid Viruses and More
Tip Sheet
Definitions
Virus – a
program written to change the way a computer works. It must be self-executing
and self-replicating. They can damage programs, delete files, or re-program the
computers hard drive. They cannot be spread without a host file.
Worms –
they are similar to viruses except that they do not need a host file in order
to spread from system to system, though they might use a host file sometimes.
Trojan Horse
– a program that must be opened, either via email attachment or by downloading
and opening an Internet file, by the user. It causes the loss or theft of data.
It is not self-replicating.
Virus hoax – something claiming to be a virus, but in reality
is no threat of any kind. Some known hoaxes are:
·
If you receive an email
titled [email virus hoax name here], do not open it!
·
Delete it immediately!
·
It contains the [hoax
name] virus
·
Forward this warning to
everyone you know!
·
Do not open an email
attachment unless you know whom it is from and what it is about
·
Do not open emails if
the message line is questionable
·
Delete chain emails and
junk emails – they are spam and interferes jams the network
·
Do not download from
people you do not know
·
Exercise caution when
downloading from the internet
·
Update virus
definitions regularly
·
Back up your files
regularly
·
Report viruses to your
virus program website
·
Report viruses to any
of the following organizations:
·
Inform teacher or
administrator of any suspected viruses
·
Use caution when on the
internet
·
Do not check your
personal email accounts while at school
*Information gathered from McAfee and Norton websites.