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LIBRARY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Fall 2003
Hints on Computer Viruses
Recently multiple computer viruses caused major disruptions to the campus
network. In addition to the risk of damage to your own computer and your
personal data, infected computers are now frequently a tool for spammers
to send junk email without detection and for professional criminals to
steal confidential information for such crimes as identity theft. Here's
how to protect your computer from viruses and how to cure it if it does
get infected. Just what is a computer virus? It is a piece of software
designed to surreptitiously enter your computer system and infect your
files. Typically, a virus will replicate itself and try to infect as many
files and systems as possible. Most viruses hide on removable media, such
as Zip or floppy disks, in email attachments (not plain text messages
alone), or on the Internet. If your system is infected and you save a
file to a disk, you will probably infect the disk and any system that
uses the disk.
Viruses can be written into almost any type of file, so you need to be
careful when you add software to your system. Viruses have been accidentally
included in licensed, shrink-wrapped software, but you are usually safe
when installing legally purchased software obtained through normal channels.
A common myth is that viruses can be passed into your system only through
executable program files or applications. Viruses can easily spread to
your system from the Internet, bulletin boards, and email attachments.
The best way to keep viruses off your PC is to install antivirus software.
The Downstate Network Technology Group help desk <http://uhweb1.hscbklyn.edu/netgrp/>
provides antivirus software free of charge to students, staff and faculty
which can be downloaded from their website. This software is for use on
the campus with campus computers only. It will automatically download
and install updates with information on the latest viruses. New viruses
are released all the time and antivirus programs are only as good as their
database of virus definitions. Your system will be checked for known viruses,
incoming files will be scanned, and you will be warned you any infected
files are let in. When you are not on the campus or are not using a campus
computer, the Network Technology Group recommends antivirus
software from McAfee <http://www.mcafee.com/> or Symantec <http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/>.
It is also important that you download the latest security patches for
your operating system and applications from your software vendors. Microsoft
lets you do this automatically with the Windows Update feature.Once you've
determined that all the files in your system are virus-free, you should
do a complete backup of your system. This will allow you to restore clean
copies of your files if you get infected thereafter.
Most viruses spread by email attachments and it's more than likely that
an email attachment that contains a virus will come from a friend. Before
you open attachments or downloaded files, scan them with your antivirus
program. Also examine its file extension. Be very wary of any attachment
with an extra extension, such as "happyfun.jpg.vbs."
Danger signs that may indicate your computer is infected – even
if you antivirus software has not found a virus – include:
Unusual messages or displays on your monitor.
Unusual sounds or music played at random times.
Your system has less available memory than it should.
A disk or volume name has been changed.
Programs or files are suddenly missing.
Unknown programs or files have been created.
Some of your files become corrupted or suddenly don't work properly.Another
way you can detect viruses is by monitoring the byte size of programs
installed on your hard drive, particularly of .exe and .com files. If
you notice unexplained changes in file sizes, this is a good indication
that your system has become infected.
Here's what to do if you think your PC is infected.
1. Use your antivirus software Scan your hard drive, disk drives, and
all files downloaded to your system, including email attachments. In some
cases infected files can be "cleaned" by your virus protection software.
In others, the files will have to be discarded or quarantined.
2. Disconnect. Some viruses propagate across networks. It's a good
idea to unplug your network connection if you find a virus during a virus
scan.
3 Be happy you made a backup
In extreme cases, you may need to reformat your hard drive, destroying
all the data on it. Then you'll have to reinstall your software and data,
assuming you have the original software disks and clean backups of your
files. In this case, you should install your virus protection software
on the empty hard drive so you can verify that your backup files and original
software are virus-free.
4. Warn your friends
Contact all the people you've recently exchanged information with via
floppy disks, email attachments, Zip disks, or CD-R disks, and let them
know that your system's been infected and theirs may be infected as well.
Tell them what symptoms to look for or the name of the virus.
5.*Do not spread rumors about viruses and beware of virus hoaxes* Everyone
has received an email warning from a friend about a new and terrible virus
making the rounds. Often these are hoaxes and contain bad advice that
will damage – or even infect -- your computer. Beware of warnings
that claim a virus is undetectable. In general, if you keep your antivirus
software up-to-date, your system will nab the latest viruses. If the e-mail
message's subject line includes words such as "Urgent," "Warning," or
even "Virus Alert," it's often a good indication that you're dealing with
a hoax. Look out for pseudo-technical discussions on the dangers of the
virus. Some hoax messages include pure gobbledygook. To create an aura
of credibility, a hoax often quotes a well-known company or agency, such
as Microsoft, the Federal Communications Commission, or an antivirus company.
Check the Web sites of the sources quoted or see your antivirus vendor's
site). Remember also that Microsoft never posts virus alerts via e-mail.
Beware of messages that insist you delete a file manually. True, at times
you should do so, but in the context of the other tip-offs, this instruction
should raise a red flag. False alerts always urge you to tell everyone
you know. Genuine alerts never do.
D. Solomonoff
My Library
‘My Library’ is a featured link on the homepage of
the SUNY Downstate library (http://library.downstate.edu)
This is a user-centered, customizable interface to library’s collection
of information resources. The system integrates globally networked computing
resources, and creates a dynamic customer-driven library’s set of
materials. It allows patrons to select the information suited to their
interest and needs and create their own personal pages, which enable quick
and easy reference. The Bibliographic Databases, Electronic Journals
and Reference Shelf sections provide the means for the user to have displayed
only the scholarly information resources important to their work.
Make your customized ‘My Library’ page, for quick and easy
reference suited to your needs. Use the ‘Bookmarklet’ program
to add links to the ‘My library’ page as you surf the web.
B. Subramanian
Innovations in Online Journal Publishing
There are ever changing developments in online journals that have leapt
forward in the last year or so, arousing interests across a large and
diverse group of users, publishers and producers. It is tempting to think
that this progress represents a significant step in the shift towards
a new form of communication that is evolving from the long-established
journal format. The likelihood is that we have barely glimpsed
the true form of the journal of the future.
The Haworth Press Publishing Group has enhanced the value of their publications
by providing a powerful format for their electronic journals. They
have designed a one-stop link all of there publications to one URL:
http://haworthpress.com/store/E-Text/ViewLibraryEText.asp. With
one click you can view all the titles publishers by Haworth press.
Here is a one-stop source for cutting-edge for research and information.
Until now, there has been no other publisher that has dedicated
time and effort in this area, Kudos to Haworth Press for this inventive
process C. Perkins
Cash Photocopier
The library is pleased to announce the availability of a coin/bill operated
photocopying machine. Copies are 25c per page. The machine is located
in Room 113 (Photocopy Room) on the main floor of the library. It will
accept bills, nickels, quarters and dollar coins up to $10.00. The machine
will not make copies if it cannot dispense change. The bill will be returned
to the user. Please note that the machine is not a change machine and
before change is issued at least ONE copy must be made.
This is yet another effort on the library’s part to accommodate
the diverse needs of users. M.Hussain
Classroom Services Web Site
Another web site? Yes! Classroom Services is proud to announce its
web site which is filled with useful information such as the daily schedule
of activities, our classroom services request form, tips and instruction
on use of audio visual equipment and much more. The site can be found
at the url-http://classrooms.downstate.edu or from the Medical Research
Library’s home page. J Brown
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