Information Services:

Basic Security

Basic Security

Antivirus Software scan your hard drive and email for any virus.

 

What is a virus?

A virus is a piece of programming code usually disguised as something else that causes some unexpected and usually undesirable event. A virus is often designed so that it is automatically spread to other computer users. Viruses can be transmitted as attachments to an e-mail note, as downloads, or be present on a diskette or CD. The source of the e-mail note, downloaded file, or diskette you've received is often unaware of the virus. Some viruses wreak their effect as soon as their code is executed; other viruses lie dormant until circumstances cause their code to be executed by the computer. Some viruses are playful in intent and effect ("Happy Birthday, Ludwig!") and some can be quite harmful, erasing data or causing your hard disk to require reformatting.

 

What kind of viruses are out there?

Generally, there are three categories of viruses.
1) File Infectors - they attach themselves to program files, usually selected .COM or .EXE files. Some can infect any program for which execution is requested, including .SYS, .OVL, .PRG, and .MNU files. When the program is loaded, the virus is also loaded.

2) System or boot-record infectors infect executable code found in certain system areas on a disk. They attach to the DOS boot sector on diskettes or the Master Boot Record on hard disks. A typical scenario is to receive a diskette from an innocent source that contains a boot disk virus. When your operating system is running, files on the diskette can be read without triggering the boot disk virus. However, if you leave the diskette in the drive, and then turn the computer off, or reload the operating system, the computer will look first in your A drive, find the diskette with its boot disk virus, load it, and make it temporarily impossible to use your hard disk. This is why it's important to have a bootable floppy. Allow several days for recovery.

3) Macro viruses are among the most common viruses, and they tend to do the least damage. Macro viruses infect your Microsoft Word applications and typically insert unwanted words or phrases.

One way to protect your computer against computer virus is to install antivirus software.

Warning and Disclaimer: We do not provide any support to antivirus software except Command antivirus. McAfee VirusScan is provided by Emory ITD. We do not endorse or affliliate with any of the follow products and/or companies.

Antivirus Software:

  • Emory Security Awareness
    Emory Security Awareness Site is A comprehensive site containing information about new vulnerabilities and viruses, statistics on security incidents at Emory, and links to other security sites.
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