General Introduction

Computer viruses are acknowledges to be an everpresent threat in the Internet era we now live in and their frequency and sophistication is ever increasing and detrimental.

All computer users need to have a basic understanding of computer viruses in order to be able to avoid introducing them into their personal and the College's network systems through ignorance. The aim of these virus information pages is to give you the information you need to safeguard your works (and that of your colleagues) from viruses.

Virus Protection

Most viruses spread through files (such as .doc, .xls, .exe) that you copy or emails attachments. To safeguard against infection of your PCs, or the College's, it is advisable to take the following precautions:

1. Do not start a computer with a floppy Disk in Drive A.
2. Do not enable/run macros within a file if the source is not trusted. (Set the macro security in the program.)
3. Install an antivirus program and update at least forthnightly.
4. Scan all documents/files/programs for virus before downloading from the Internet.
5. Never open an email attachment unless you are expecting the attachment and it is from a trusted source. (Turn off Message Preview feature of your email program.)
6. If the antivirus program flags an email attachment, delete the attachment immediately.
7. Scan all disks/files that you plan to copy from floppy disk, zip drive, thumb drive etc.
8. Backup your files regularly to a location other than your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions on Virus

1. What is a virus and is it a threat?
2. What are my responsibilities?
3. What are Computing & IT Services doing about viruses?
4. Why can't IT Services protect me from all viruses?
5. How do I know whether the emails I receive are infected with viruses?
6. What can I do to protect my home PC?

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