Computer virus spreading via emails
Warning. Do not open any e-mail attachments, due to a worldwide computer virus. The SirCam e-mail virus has infected at least 1,900 Utah State University student computers, and the best way to for students to protect themselves is to avoid opening any attachments.
If students receive something through their e-mail, they should avoid opening the attachment unless they are sure there is no virus. Even if they receive a message that is unexpected from someone they know or a friend, they should call the person they know or friend, to make sure it is okay to open the attachment, Kim Marshall, Interim Director of Information Technology Services, said
“Hi! How are you? I send you this file in order to have your advice.” This message is the most common of three or four headings of the SirCam virus that has been sent to Utah State University students, Marshall said.
This message includes an attachment that, if opened, will infect your computer.
Marshall said the virus is spread through e-mail. Once the virus infects a machine, it will send it to any address through a student’s address book or a cached web page.
The virus will delete files or start filling the disk with useless information, Bob Bayn, manager of Academic User Services, said
In about one in 20 documented cases, the virus will ruin your computer, Marshall said.
Bayn said the virus is “all over.” It affects faculty and students.
MacIntosh computers have not been infected with the virus, but it can be received by any PC, Bayn said.
Some versions of the virus have dates when the problems will take effect, but Marshall said, depending on which one infects the computer, it “could start working anytime.”
Along with not opening any attachments sent, Kevin Grover, Network Systems Specialist, recommends that students “make sure to get virus scanning software.”
USU computers are protected by McAfee software.
Students can also call the Help Desk at 797-4358 with any questions or go to thhe Help Desk web page, located at helpdesk.usu.edu. This page contains instructions on how to remove the virus if the attachment has been opened.
Marshall said there is no way to tell how many students have received the virus.
“We’ve noticed quite an increase of e-mail transactions, partly due to these automatic virus messages,” Bayn said.
He added that lab machines are susceptible to it, but are checked every night.
“Computer labs are pretty well protected,” Bayn said.
Mark Seely, a senior, said although he hasn’t received the virus he is aware of the problem.
“I learned about it on the USU Webmail page,” he said.
The virus is thought to have originated in China, during mid-July, Grover said. He said the virus spread and is now a worldwide problem.