A new crop of malicious worms and viruses is now hitting Windows computers across the Smith campus. The best known is the Conficker C worm, which is set to activate April 1st, but here’s the good news – follow these three rules of thumb and you should be fine:
- Make sure you have the latest Windows security updates installed on your computer. To check, open Internet Explorer and go to Tools /Windows Update. Click on the Express button and wait while the program scans your computer. If it finds any missing updates, install them right away.
Note: The safest way to ensure your updates are current is to set your computer to install them automatically. Go to Start /Settings /Control Panel /Security Center. If Automatic Updates are turned off, click on the Turn on automatic updates button.
- Make sure your McAfee VirusScan program is up to date. To check, right-click on the VirusScan shield in the lower right corner of your screen and choose About VirusScan. If you don’t have VirusScan Enterprise and AntiSpyware Enterprise 8.7.0i, go to the Smith software page and follow the instructions to install that version.
- Be very suspicious of any unsolicited emails you receive, with or without attachments. It used to be easy to spot fake messages because of spelling and grammar mistakes and sloppy graphics, but hackers are much more sophisticated now. Be sure to read every message carefully, and never open an attachment or send any reply unless you’re sure it’s okay. And NEVER send anyone your username, password, or any other personal information.
Thank you for your help in keeping your computer and the Smith network virus-free.
