We have had numerous reports of the MyDoom email worm on campus. Our email server is now blocking this worm, but you may have already received infected messages. You should simply delete these messages (all will have an attached zip file). For more information, read the MyDoom worm article.

Virus Alerts

Information Technology Services actively monitors virus activity on the Internet, and will inform the College community whenever a virus poses a threat to campus users. Note that most viruses will not fall into this category.

If you receive a virus alert or warning that you are concerned about, please forward it to the Help Desk (helpdesk@wabash.edu). You should not forward any virus warnings of any kind to anyone other than the Help Desk. It doesn't matter if the virus warnings have come from an anti-virus vendor or been confirmed by any large computer company or your best friend. All virus warnings should be sent to the Help Desk, and the Help Desk alone. It is Computer Service's job to send round all virus warnings, and a virus warning that comes from any other source should be ignored.

Virus hoaxes are false reports about non-existent viruses, often claiming to do impossible things. If you receive an email ordering you to pass the notice on to everyone you know, delete files from your computer, or hoarde water and hide under your desk until the threat passes, it is almost certainly a hoax. This web page lists the most common hoaxes currently in circulation. If you receive an alert that you are concerned about, please forward it to the Help Desk (helpdesk@wabash.edu).

Many modern viruses spread by exploiting known vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system. You should make sure your system is fully patched to protect against these problems. To update your system, go to Microsoft's Windows Update site.

Spyware is software that tracks your web activity or other behavior. Usually this software is installed without your knowledge, and is typically used to deliver targetted advertising, either by the spyware company or one of its "partners." We recommend SpyWare Search and Destroy as an effective tool at identifying and removing unwanted spyware from your computer.

ITS presented Viruses, Worms, Spyware, and Other Perils of an On-Line World on September 23, 2003. The PowerPoint presentation is available here.
Latest presentation: October 2008 available here.