2008 Woodie Awards
New virus causes heightened security
Emily Wuchner
Issue date: 11/4/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Murray State uses various methods of preventing and limiting the spread of computer worms and viruses.
Because of these preventative measures, a new, rapidly spreading worm has not yet affected the University's operations.
In August, the computer worm shut down many computers throughout the United States, Germany and Asia. Some of the companies the virus affected include CNN, ABC, The New York Times and Capitol Hill.
According to CNN.com, the worm affects Windows 2000 and some versions of Microsoft XP. Microsoft offers a downloadable patch on the security home page to decrease the spread of the virus.
Experts told CNN the worm enters the system through a laptop connected to unsecured networks.
Improved firewalls and faster patches have limited the spread of the worm.
Tommy Phillips, University Local Area Network manager, said a worm is a type of virus that spreads on its own. He said viruses are always a problem, and it is not possible to protect a computer 100 percent of the time.
Andy Batts, assistant professor of computer science and technology coordinator for the College of Business and Public Affairs, said computer viruses are similar to viruses like the flu.
"If the worm finds a computer that is unprotected, it loads itself on that computer and then uses that computer as a host to search for other unprotected computers," he said.
Worms and viruses are destructive and can cause computer damage to programs, Batts said.
Murray State has a firewall installed between the University and other networks to further protect it, Batts said.
The University also has virus checking software and spybot, which removes spyware, on computers.
About two years ago, Murray State had its worst virus experience with the Nachi Virus. Batts said an infected laptop may have caused the virus, which resulted in the network being down for about 20 minutes.
He said locating computer viruses generally takes only seconds, but installing the software to find and destroy it takes a substantial amount of time.
Because of these preventative measures, a new, rapidly spreading worm has not yet affected the University's operations.
In August, the computer worm shut down many computers throughout the United States, Germany and Asia. Some of the companies the virus affected include CNN, ABC, The New York Times and Capitol Hill.
According to CNN.com, the worm affects Windows 2000 and some versions of Microsoft XP. Microsoft offers a downloadable patch on the security home page to decrease the spread of the virus.
Experts told CNN the worm enters the system through a laptop connected to unsecured networks.
Improved firewalls and faster patches have limited the spread of the worm.
Tommy Phillips, University Local Area Network manager, said a worm is a type of virus that spreads on its own. He said viruses are always a problem, and it is not possible to protect a computer 100 percent of the time.
Andy Batts, assistant professor of computer science and technology coordinator for the College of Business and Public Affairs, said computer viruses are similar to viruses like the flu.
"If the worm finds a computer that is unprotected, it loads itself on that computer and then uses that computer as a host to search for other unprotected computers," he said.
Worms and viruses are destructive and can cause computer damage to programs, Batts said.
Murray State has a firewall installed between the University and other networks to further protect it, Batts said.
The University also has virus checking software and spybot, which removes spyware, on computers.
About two years ago, Murray State had its worst virus experience with the Nachi Virus. Batts said an infected laptop may have caused the virus, which resulted in the network being down for about 20 minutes.
He said locating computer viruses generally takes only seconds, but installing the software to find and destroy it takes a substantial amount of time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ywh
posted 10/11/06 @ 12:31 PM CST
if you don't mine please tell me the antivirus to stop the virus to clean it. thank you :)
regards
ywh
Post a Comment