Virus Information @ Geneseo
Protecting Yourself
Don't open any attachments you receive in email that you are not expecting! Forward any suspicious email you receive with headers to virus@geneseo.edu. CIT examines every message sent to this address and takes appropriate action. Please be aware that messages forwarded without header information will be discarded and no action will be taken.
Self Help: Forwarding a Message to CIT with Headers
Symantec AntiVirus
All computers on campus are licensed to install and run Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition. Installation and configuration instructions for Symantec AntiVirus can be found at http://software.geneseo.edu.
Make sure you are running Symantec AntiVirus and that its virus definitions are up to date. Schedule an automatic Virus Definition Update in Symantec AntiVirus to occur daily (at a time when your computer is on) so that you are protected from the newest viruses.
Self Help: Installing and Configuring Symantec AntiVirus
If you are having problems installing Symantec because of a current virus on your machine, try Symantec's on-line Security Check at http://security.symantec.com/.
Using Symantec in Safe Mode
It is a good idea to run a Symantec scan in Safe Mode so that viruses can't run in the background.
- Turn your computer off.
- Turn the computer on and press F8.
- Choose "Safe Mode" from the menu.
- Run a Symantec Antivirus scan.
- Delete found viruses from quarantine.
Other Tools to Cure Pop-up Windows, Spyware, and Viruses
Windows Updates
The Microsoft website contains critical updates and all Microsoft recommended updates. The URL is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/. Some of the updates need to be installed one at a time and then require a reboot. Continue to go to the Windows Update site until there are no updates left for you to download and install.
Stinger
This application removes many of the recent worms seen on campus. There are explicit instructions there for running this utility. Make certain to follow them very carefully, especially if you are a Windows XP or Windows ME user.
Ad-Aware
Ad-aware will remove many programs that are installed with commonly used software such as WebShots, Kaaza, Morpheus, Snood, etc. Before you scan your machine with Ad-Aware, be sure to "check for updates" to the program's definitions.
SpyBot Search & Destroy
Run SpyBot to catch any programs Ad-Aware might have missed.
CWShredder
A small utility for removing CoolWebSearch (aka CoolWwwSearch, YouFindAll, White-Pages.ws and a dozen other names).