A computer program designed to self-replicate ... Viruse

1
Viruses, Worms, Spyware, and Other Perils of an
On-Line World

• Computer Services Tech Talk
• September 23, 2003

2
What is a Virus?

• A computer program designed to self-replicate
• Often contain payloads ranging from annoying
  (displaying messages) to disastrous
  (deleting/altering files)
• Viruses are written and distributed by people,
  they do not just appear
• Even nondestructive viruses use up system
  resources and time

3
How Viruses Spread

• Boot sectors
• Documents (Macro viruses, VB Script viruses)
• Email attachments
• Peer-to-peer apps (KaZaa, Morpheus)
• System vulnerabilities (Microsoft DCOM)

4
Virus Hoaxes

• False reports about non-existent viruses
• Often claim to be issued by software or virus
  companies (AOL, Microsoft)
• Often claim to do impossible things
• Usually contain instructions for the user, e.g.
  send email to others, delete a file

5
What Computer Services Does

• Scans all email messages for viruses
• Protects servers against known vulnerabilities
• Operates firewalls and gateways to block virus
  activity
• Maintains virus scanning software for campus use
• Monitors virus activity on the Internet, and
  alerts the College whenever a virus poses a
  threat to campus users

6
Spyware

• Software that monitors your activity web sites
  visited, files downloaded
• Reports activity to the mother ship, usually so
  information can be sold to advertisers
• Almost always installed without your knowledge
• Can record information silently, or cause a
  variety of problems, e.g. pop-up messages,
  browser hijacking
• Almost all file sharing apps come with spyware

7
Protecting Your Computer

• Find updated information at http//www.wabash.edu/
  technology/
• Patch your computer (http//windowsupdate.microsof
  t.com)
• Scan for viruses (scanner on scholar.sys)
• For home computer, install (and regularly update)
  virus scanning software
• Install and run Spybot Search and Destroy to find
  and remove Spyware