Virus.unh.edu - The University of New Hampshire's Security Resource

Methods of Infection | back to top | print the following article Click here to print this article. Please note this will open a new window

Below is a list of common methods of infection for computers. Read through them and follow links as needed.

Removable media - this includes items such as floppy, zip, and compact discs.
Incomplete Windows Updates » details
Unnecessary Open Ports
Open File Shares
Weak Usernames and Passwords » details
Malformed Web Sites
Unsolicited or Infected E-mail

Methods of Prevention | back to top | print the following article Click here to print this article. Please note this will open a new window

Below is a list of common methods to prevent your computer from being infected by viruses and other harmful software. Please keep in mind that having current virus protection installed may not prevent all infections. It is suggested that you read through the following carefully.

Scan all removable media before use
Ensure all Windows Updates for your operating system are complete
» details
Disable all open file shares
Ensure that all user accounts have secure names and passwords
» details
Avoid any sites on the Internet that may contain malicious or malformed content
Immediately delete any unsolicited or unknown e-mails and attachments

Am I Protected? | back to top | print the following article Click here to print this article. Please note this will open a new window

Virusscan's scanning engine is only effective in removing viruses when virus definition files are up-to-date. Ensure that your definitions (DAT) files are current by following the steps below:

Click on Start - Programs - McAfee (older versions may be listed under Network Associates) and select Virusscan Console
Select Help - About...
The Created On date indicates when McAfee first published the update to the public. This is the best way to see if you are current. Generally, the updates are published weekly, every Wednesday at 4:00pm, but also at additional times as required.
If your Virusscan software is not up-to-date, immediately Update your Virusscan

Getting Protection | back to top | print the following article Click here to print this article. Please note this will open a new window

The University of New Hampshire offers to its Faculty, Staff, and Students at no charge, McAfee VirusScan for the PC. In addition, CIS provides full technical support for all licensed users of this product. McAfee Virex for Macintosh is not recommended at this time. Please see: http://www.virus.unh.edu/virex.asp for additional information. For Macintosh clients, CIS recommends ClamXav, a freeware product, available at: http://www.clamxav.com. CIS provides Basic support for this product.

Up2Date Utility | back to top | print the following article

University of New Hampshire has a service to help campus clients protect desktop computers from viruses, and to facilitate communication with computer owners. This service is comprised of two integral programs:

Ecora Patch Manager is a free Windows patch updating service to which campus clients can subscribe. This is a “push” technology that updates computers in a pro-active way, as opposed to the “pull” technology available from Microsoft’s web site, which waits for you to reach out for updates. Ecora is managed by UNH employees. Click here for more information.

Note: The Ecora service is only equipped to "push" Windows Updates automatically to on-campus faculty and staff computers. Students may subscribe for the service and will receive e-mail notification when Windows Updates are available.

ePO (e-Policy Orchestrator) is an optional, free virus protection update service that, like Ecora Patch Manager, pushes virus protection updates to computers of clients who have VirusScan installed. ePO provides the same type of advantage as Ecora Patch Manager, when compared to the currently available mechanism for downloading virus protection updates in a passive manner. Click here for more information.

By signing up for the Up2date Service you will receive both of these programs providing the utmost protection possible to campus clients. In addition, if you subscribe to the Up2date Service and keep the updates current, you will not be charged the $30 per hour fee (one hour minimum) to have your computer cleaned at the Computer Service Center.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the Up2date Service.

Click here to signup for the Up2date Service (both ePO and Ecora) and download the up2date agent.