Computer viruses preventable by student use of common sense

Ashley Feibish / News Editor

AOL Instant Messenger and e-mail allow people to connect instantly, sharing files and communicating with friends. But technology is not without its flaws. A negative impact of this advanced technology is viruses that can attach to files and replicate instantly.

Viruses are software that attach themselves to programs. If the program runs on a computer, the virus then runs and reproduces. It can even ruin the computer. E-mail viruses have the capability to automatically mail themselves to addresses located in the user’s e-mail address book.

AIM viruses pop up frequently in users’ profiles; some of the more common ones read, “Whoa look what I found, click here ...”, or “I can’t believe I found ‘yourScreenName’ picture here.” A more recent AIM virus automatically sent a message to everyone on the user’s buddy list, disguised as an Osama Bin Laden game.

Junior Jay Loden, a student computer technician at Elon’s Student Computer Services, said most of these viruses are related to ads.

“The viruses turn your computer into a billboard,” said Loden, who authors his own virus removal tools. He said he tends to hear about the viruses when they first come out because he works so closely with computers.

“On one given day,” said senior Brett Pladna, also a student computer technician at Elon’s Student Computer Services, “our peak for repairs was 56. Overall, we’ve fixed hundreds of computers.”

Most of the viruses are preventable with updated virus software. Also, not clicking on links in AIM messages or pop-ups can prevent computer viruses.

“They are not hardcore viruses, mostly pop-ups that put things in people’s profiles,” Pladna said.

When it comes to e-mail viruses, the “Mydoom” worm continues to cause big problems. According to the Web site titled “How Stuff Works,” the virus is estimated to infect approximately a quarter-million computers daily. Worms are pieces of software that use computer networks and security holes to replicate themselves. One defense in preventing e-mail viruses is to avoid downloading attachments with extensions such as .exe, .com or .vbs.

Fred Melchor, director of PC Support, said his department works to prevent and irradicate viruses.

“Elon protects against e-mail viruses. You get a shell of the virus, not the actual virus. Our server catches and strips the viruses to prevent them from spreading.”

Melchor also suggested students keep their operating systems up-to-date by patching their systems and frequently checking the Microsoft Web site for updates. He also warns not to open attachments. Worms take up memory and network bandwidth when they replicate.

Basically, Melchor said, “They choke up the network with traffic. You want to have a virus program such as McAfee or Norton.”

It is important to safeguard your system and be cautious when using the Internet, especially if unknown sources are involved. Most virus Web sites offer free trial ware and programs that help detect and erase viruses.

Viruses are not made to take down networks today and no longer do a lot of file destruction, said Melchor. “Like a parasite, viruses don’t want to kill their host.”