Viruses
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This page is now outdated. Please see http://www.shef.ac.uk/cics/codeofpractice for the current IT Code of Practice. |
| A computer virus is a malicious parasite program written to alter the way your system operates without your permission or knowledge. It may destroy data, display messages or destroy functionality. A virus spreads by copying itself to other disks as they are loaded on an infected system. They are primarily a problem when floppy disks are exchanged by users or email attachments are opened. The virus is propagated to new systems if it is booted from, or runs a program from, an infected disk. However, they are becoming more and more sophisticated. It is not only floppy disks that can be infected, fixed disks and network disks can also be compromised. The basis of protection is awareness of the dangers of opening files that may be infected and the use of appropriate virus detection software. Users are advised not to run or load any files into a system unless they come from a recognised and reliable source, which does not necessarily include all software providers. System software running across the network is regularly checked for viruses and is highly secure. Virus check all floppy disks of uncertain or external origin before use. Public domain (freeware) and shareware software, probably obtained from the Internet, and any demonstration software from manufacturers should also be virus checked before use. The University operates a suite of market leading anti-virus software for all hardware system types used on campus. The software is updated regularly (sometimes daily) to take account of the ever increasing number of viruses. It can be used from the network or installed from CDROM, which can be obtained from the Computing Centre on Hounsfield Road. |