|
|
Computer viruses, programs written and spread to corrupt or destroy computer files, are easily transmitted when diskettes and computers are unprotected. Three new strains of viruses recently invaded the UO campus: Word Macro/Concept, Word Macro/Wazzu, and Monkey.B (also known as Empire.Monkey.B).
Word Macro viruses are particularly dangerous because they can infect any Microsoft Word document that was created with Microsoft Word 6.x or 7, and can spread to any computer running Word--whether Mac or Windows. If you are having unexplained problems with a Word document, such as reversed text, strange formatting, or odd dialog boxes that pop up when you open the document, your machine is probably infected.
The Monkey.B virus can cause significant damage to an infected DOS-compatible computer. Once infected with Monkey.B, a machine can lose access to floppy disk drives, and its hard drive may require reformatting to remove the virus.
Commercial software. The best way to protect yourself from computer viruses is to purchase and install commercial antiviral software, such as Symantec AntiVirus (Macintosh) or Norton AntiVirus (Windows).
Freeware. Some freeware products also provide various levels of protection. There are currently no free programs that protect against the Wazzu virus, but two freeware deterrents exist for Word Macro/Concept: Scanprot.doc and Wvfix.doc.
Shareware. F-PROT, a shareware program that is free to educational users, is one of the best DOS-based antiviral programs currently available. The free version of F-PROT, along with its companion program F-MACROW, can often detect and remove the Monkey.B and Word Macro viruses, but won't necessarily guard against viruses written specifically for Windows 95/NT.
Specific Macintosh Protection. Aside from the new Word Macro viruses, few new viruses have been discovered that affect Macintosh computers. While it does not currently protect against Word Macro viruses, Disinfectant continues to be the best freeware protection available for other viruses on Macintosh computers.
Once logged in, open the "Virus Software" folder and copy the software you need. You can also access CC Public Domain via ftp to ccpd.uoregon.edu.
Tools for DOS and Windows. Windows 3.x and DOS users can copy antiviral programs from the Public Domain Software Library on Zeus by typing
Windows 95 and NT users can obtain antiviral software from the Public server (see "Finding Windows 95/NT Software on Public" on page 2 of this issue), either by accessing Public directly or by using ftp (ftp to public.uoregon.edu).