Website for more computer virus information: http://www.shelbycs.org/technology/virus.html

Unfortunately, computer viruses are becoming more frequent. I have received several emails from staff members asking for suggestions on what they can do to protect their home computers.

*** MOST IMPORTANT ***

Install virus-protection software on your home computer and keep it updated

I would suggest updating your virus scanning software at least once a week to get the latest virus definitions, if not more frequently. Just recently a new computer virus was discovered in Russia and that same day an email was sent to someone in our district with that virus attached to it. From Russia to Shelbyville in the same day. Keeping your virus-protection software updated is very important.

If you do not have virus scanning software installed on your home computer, you are just waiting to get burned by a computer virus. Unlike a couple of years ago, not all computer viruses come in by email attachments. Many new viruses look for open ports or other ways to invade your computer through the Internet that you may not even be aware of. It is not as simple as it was just a couple of years ago to avoid computer viruses. Computer viruses are getting more and more sophisticated.

Beware of e-mail attachments

Do not open any e-mail attachment unless you are expecting the file. Even if it comes from someone you know, you need to realize that viruses can "spoof" or fake where the message came from. If "BillGates@microsoft.com" is in the address of the email, that does not mean that email came from that address. That address can be faked. So even though the email may look like it came from a friend, that does not mean your friend actually sent it.

Viruses can be found in documents with standard file extensions such as .jpg, .doc and .xls; however, attachments with .com, .vbs, .bat, and .exe are frequently used by viruses. If you ever get an attachment that has a double extension (like .jpg.exe or .doc.vbs) you can almost bet that attachment is a virus waiting for you to click on it so it can invade your computer.

Patch and update your home computer's operating system

Go to this site and follow the instructions on that web page to get all of your security patches and updates for the Windows operating system.

But if you forget the web address, the web address is embedded in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. When you are using Internet Explorer, just go to the "Tools" menu and you will see a menu-item titled "Update Windows", this is assuming you have a fairly recent version of Internet Explorer. Older versions of Internet Explorer did not have this built-in link.

The updates can be very, very large, especially if you have never installed any of the patches and updates. If you are using a phone modem to access the Microsoft's update website, plan on it taking overnight to download the updates at times.

Back up your files

No matter how much you prepare or how careful you are, the next virus may have a new "twist" you never even thought of and it might get through the best defenses. Prepare for that day and back up your data in a location away from your hard drive, like on a CD or Zip drive. On a regular basis, back up your files on disks. The best option would be to have a CD burner and just “burn” all of your files on your computer onto a single CD. This can save hours, days, even years of work should you lose data because of a virus problem.

Check out our Tech Tip on Burn a CD to Backup Your Data at http://www.shelbycs.org/techtips/burnCD.html

Stay informed

Keep up with the latest news about viruses. You can find a number of reliable links to websites that maintain information about the latest computer viruses and Internet hoaxes on Shelbyville's "Computer Virus Info" page at:

http://www.shelbycs.org/technology/virus.html

Avoid being a part of the problem

Don't spread rumors. Do not pass along rumors or unverified notices regarding computer viruses or ways to search your computer for files that need to be deleted without checking to see if the message is legitimate. Many people think that it is better to be safe than sorry, so they just pass along the emails without checking. Unfortunately, some of these emails being sent around actually do harm to your computer if you follow the directions. So if you forward these instructions to your friends, you could end up being the computer virus because someone trusted your email message and damaged their computer by following the instructions you sent to them. Check it out before you forward it on to your friends...

Install some kind of a network firewall

This is a suggestion for those of you that might have some kind of continuous Internet connection at home, like a cable modem. A firewall is a barrier between your computer and the Internet that will enhance antivirus protection and prevent "hackers" from attacking your computer. Contact your Internet Service Provider for more details about firewalls if you do not already have one installed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Technology Department with your questions.

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