Viruses and other malicious software often arrive via e-mail, masquerading as attachments that beg to be clicked. Others are packaged as "free" programs that promise to do something useful while secretly hijacking your computer in the background. Some can be contracted just by visiting a web site or previewing an e-mail message, while others require no action your part at all, infecting unprotected computers silently even before you press the first key.

If your computer starts running slowly, constantly displays pop-up ads even when you are not browsing the Internet, or begins to behave erratically, it's likely that your computer is infected with malicious software.

What should you do to protect yourself?

• Install an antivirus product and keep the definitions up-to-date. UTC provides a free copy of Symantec Antivirus with automatic updates for all computers on the campus, including the dorms. See itd.utc.edu/protect/antivirus.html for more information.

• Keep Windows updated by visiting www.windowsupdate.com/. You can set later versions of Windows to update automatically, which makes this task a no-brainer (see www.microsoft.com/security/protect/).

• Be careful where you click--always. In general, don't install anything that pops up uninvited via e-mail or the web. Consider all e-mail attachments suspect no matter who they are from (most return addresses on virus messages are forged). When in doubt, contact the sender to verify that they did send the item.

• Avoid file-sharing applications such as Kazaa, Morpheus, Gnutella, etc., which promise “free” services but bring with them spyware and viruses. Some, such as Blubster or Kazaa in certain configurations, are guaranteed to shut down your network access. Apple's iTunes, the new version of Napster, and even Walmart offer cheap, legal downloads without the risks.

• Use anti-spyware applications such as Spybot ( http://www.spybot.info/ ) to remove and block spyware. It's not unusual for us to see computers with dozens of spyware applications installed, violating your privacy and bogging down your system.

On their own, none of these precautions is a guarantee, but taken together they offer a good bet for a safer and less frustrating computing experience.

More Information

• Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection
• Disinfect Your Computer

Contact the Help Desk for assistance or questions on any of these issues: Phone 425-2678 or email to HelpDesk@utc.edu.