I noticed that the VirusScan shield in my systray sometimes has a red outline. What is it?

I'm getting a VirusScan PopUp Window. What is it?

How can I avoid getting a computer virus?

I'm getting an email that tells me it found a virus. What does that mean? Do I have to do anything? Am I infected?

I think I may be infected with a virus. What do I do?

Where can I go for additional information on viruses?

Q I noticed that the VirusScan shield in my systray sometimes has a red outline. What is it?

A You are probably familiar with seeing the VirusScan shield in your systray (lower right side of your PC where the clock is) indicating that you are protected by VirusScan.

Normally it looks like this:

But you may happen to see it with a red outline: as this is a new feature for the latest version of VirusScan.

No action is needed by you when your shield icon is outlined in red. It is NOT an indication that you have spyware or malicious software running on your workstation.. It is just a result of the Access Protection piece of VirusScan that helps protect your workstation from malicious software and spyware. Operations staff will use the Access Protection piece of VirusScan to improve malicious software detection and elimination.

Q I'm getting a VirusScan PopUp Window. What is it?

A This means that the anti virus software has identified a virus or an unwanted program on your workstation due to your recent activity (such as downloading a file or visiting a website). Please see the virus notification page for more information on these anti-virus pop ups and what this means.

Q How can I avoid getting a computer virus?

A Everyone has heard the warnings about using un-trusted software. Unfortunately, the nearly universal use of electronic mail and the World Wide Web now brings more outside files, programs and data streams to computers and networks than ever before. This creates huge opportunities for unscrupulous people to reach into your computers and networks where they can do harm with hostile, malicious programs. Potential damages include erasing data or freezing PCs, causing loss of productivity, creating a security breach, invading privacy or stealing internal services.

You might be wondering why you even have to do anything since you know you have anti-virus software running on your computer.  Assuming your anti-virus software is kept up to date, you are still vulnerable to new computer viruses that hit the Internet before your anti-virus software has included the new virus information into the virus definition file.  So keeping the following tips in mind when reading your email or downloading files from the Internet may help you to avoid getting caught by the next virus:

• Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
• Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from someone you know. Some viruses replicate themselves and send the virus out to everyone found in your address book. That means you are infecting your friends and co workers with the virus. If you are unsure, contact the sender to confirm that they intentionally sent the attachment to you.
• Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected.
• If an email is suspect, delete it. This also applies to unsolicited junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network. For more information on spam, see our guide to understanding spam.
• Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file.
• When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Unless you are absolutely sure that a file is safe, do not open it.

In addition to the above mentioned guidelines, here are a few suggestions that pertain to sending e-mail to others:

• Lower the suspicion of possible viruses by avoiding sending attachments to others.
• If there are internal documents that need to be distributed to others in the office, place the document in a common area and send a link or path to the document within the message instead of an attachment. This will also free up disk space on the email server by removing what would be multiple copies.

Q I'm getting an email that tells me it found a virus. What does that mean? Do I have to do anything? Am I infected?

A The Connecticut Community College system has multiple levels of virus protection in place.  Depending on where the virus is detected, the e-mail you receive about the infection could look different.  The links below explain the different types of virus notification messages you may receive:

Virus notification messages from CCC systems.
Fake virus notification messages.

Also read the FAQ item above "I'm getting a VirusScan PopUp Window. What is it?" for info about pop up notifications when on a System Office workstation.

NOTE: Be aware of fake virus warnings also that come from malicious websites. They appear to be valid virus warnings telling you to click here to protect yourself. Use the information in I'm getting a VirusScan PopUp Window. What is it? to compare the pop ups you are getting with valid virus pop ups from our systems.

Q I think I may be infected with a virus. What do I do?

A If you think you may be infected with a virus, contact you local IT personnel as soon as possible and they will be able to further assist you.  Keep in mind that not everyone who thinks they are infected with a virus actually is. While waiting for your local IT personnel to assist you, use the following guidelines to help reduce further exposure if you are in fact infected with a virus:

• Remain calm. A panic action on the part of the user may cause more problems than the virus itself.
• Do not continue to use your PC.
• Do not trade floppies with any other machine.
• Write down any symptoms or any error messages that occur to provide to the IT personnel.

Q Where can I go for additional information on viruses?

A The best place to look for addition information on viruses would be the McAfee Security Headquarters.  This site provides you will all the information you need on what viruses are, the different type of viruses, and tips on how to protect yourself from them.  You can get there by clicking on the following link:

http://www.mcafeesecurity.com/us/security/home.asp

Information on particular viruses can be found in the AVERT Virus Information Library:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.asp