| What
is a virus? |
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A virus is a piece
of computer code that attaches itself to a program or file
so it can spread from computer to computer, infecting as it
travels. Viruses can damage your software, your hardware, and
your files. Viruses are designed to replicate and spread to
other computers through diskettes, CD-ROMs, e-mail attachments,
and over the Internet. |
| What
is a Trojan Horse? |
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A Trojan Horse
is a malicious program that disguises itself as a beneficial
or entertaining program, such as a free game, movie, song,
etc., but that actually damages a computer or installs code
that can collect passwords or personal information, allow a
malicious user to take control of your PC to launch denial
of service attacks, or use it to send spam. For a Trojan horse
to spread, you must, invite these programs onto your computers--for
example, by opening an email attachment or downloading and
running a file from the Internet. Please
Note: Regular users of IRC need to be especially wary
of receiving trojan horses in files they download from other
users. |
| What
is a Worm? |
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A Worm is a computer
program which replicates itself and is self-propagating. Worms,
as opposed to viruses, are meant to spawn in network environments
and move from machine to machine across network connections
often clogging networks and slowing down the Internet. |
| How
do I know if a Virus, Worm or Trojan Horse has infected my
computer? |
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Infected computers
may slow down, stop responding, restart every few minutes,
crash frequently, lose files and other data.... and more.
Other telltale signs include:
- Unexplained activity (windows opening or closing on
their own, mouse moving on it's own, cd-rom opening or
closing etc.)
- Unusual message boxes or strange error messages
- Outlook or outlook express taking a long time to close
or seeming to hang when you preview a specific message
- Your e-mail client returns a large number of messages
with any of the following error messages: Message could
not be delivered, delivery failed, Mail System Error
- Returned Mail, Returned mail: see transcript for details,
Returned mail: Data format error etc., etc., etc.
- Corrupt files
- Unknown programs in the task list
- Alerts from your firewall about OUTBOUND communication
from an unusual source
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| I've
been told I have a Virus/Worm/Trojan Horse but my antivirus
program doesn't remove it. What do I do? |
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If your PC has
a virus, worm, or trojan, but your antivirus software has not
detected or stopped it, take these steps to prevent it from
spreading: |
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Pull
the plug: Physically disconnect network cables, and
wireless cards (or turn built-in wireless units off). This
will instantly stop viruses and Trojan horses on your PC
from connecting to or infecting other computers until
you are ready to attempt to clean your PC. |
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Virus/Worm
Removal: Visit the following sites for quick, free
virus detection and removal tools and online scans.
First, download and run
the McAfee
AVERT Stinger** virus cleaner. This tool can remove
many common viruses, but it can't prevent virus infection.
It will target and remove many viruses that disable or
damage anti virus and firewall software.
Second, visit the following
sites and scan your PC. You may have to use more than one
removal tool to find the culprit infecting your computer. After
trying the free Online tools, try to update your
antivirus software and scan your PC again for viruses.
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Trojan
Horse Removal: Trojans are often not caught by virus
scanning programs, because they work in a different way.
The solution to a trojan infection is to delete the file or files that
comprise the malicious program. Visit the following sites for help removing
trojans. |
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What
is the W32.SQLExp.Worm/SQL Slammer worm and the SQL Spida Worm? |
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SQL Slammer and
SQL Spida are worms that target system running Microsoft SQL
Server 2000, as well as Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000.
The worms perform Denial of Service attacks due to the large
number of packets they send. Only machines running Microsoft
SQL Server 2000 are infected by these worms. However, the SQL
server is embedded inside MSDE 2000 - Microsoft Data Engine
2000. There are a lot of applications that silently install
Microsoft SQL Server or MSDE 2000. Please
Note: Antivirus programs may not detect these threats. |
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I
am infected with the SQL Slammer worm/SQL Spida worm. How do
I remove it? |
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First, download
and run the SQL
Server Critical Update Wizard for Microsoft SQL Server 2000
and Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) 2000**.
The wizard will walk you through the steps of detecting a
vulnerability to Slammer and updating any affected files.
Second, download
and install the latest Windows
Updates for your operating system**. An "unpatched" operating
system is vulnerable to re-infection.
Third, download and run
the following removal tool: W32.SQLExp.Worm
Removal Tool**
Fourth, visit the following
sites and scan your PC. You may have to use more than one
removal tool to clean your computer. After
trying the free Online tools, try to update your
antivirus software and scan your PC again for viruses.
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Keep it clean |
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Hopefully after
visiting the above sites your PC is now clean, if not, you
may need to enlist the help of a computer savvy friend or co-worker.
The following tips should help to keep it clean. |
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Use
both Firewall and Anti-Virus protection protection
Download and install FREE EZ Armor Security Software* provided
by Computer Associates to Road Runner customers. You
get FREE Anti-Virus protection, Firewall protection, Pop up Blockers,
Anti-Spam, Anti-Spyware, product upgrades and updates, and web
support*
Please note: You must have the latest
version of Flash
Player** to download EZ Armor Security Software* from Road
Runner.
*Subject to terms and conditions. Road Runner reserves
the right to discontinue any feature or offer at any time.
EZ Armor Security Suite software must be downloaded from
the Road Runner National site.
*Spam and Virus protection software not available on Macintosh computers.
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Download
and install the latest updates "patches" for
your operating system and Internet software, including
your web browser and your e-mail client. Even
with updated anti-virus software your computer is vulnerable
if it has not been patched. For information on patching
your operating system visit the following links.**
Windows
Update
3
steps to secure your PC
Frequently
Asked Questions About Updating Your Computer
Questions
about or problems with Windows Update
Windows
Update Support Center
Apple
security site
SecureMac.com
Update your antivirus software.
Some antivirus protection programs have a feature that
will automatically link to the Internet and add new virus
detection code whenever the software vendor discovers a
new threat.
Scan your system regularly.
It's a good idea to let your antivirus software scan your
entire system frequently for viruses.
Don't open attachments.
One way to prevent virus infections is not to open attachments.
Even if the e-mail is from a known source, be careful.
A virus may take the mailing list from an infected computer
and send out new messages with a destructive payload attached.
Pay close attention to the file extensions. Many viruses
have a .vbs .pif, or .exe extension. However, just because
an attachment does not have one of these extensions is
no guarantee it's not a virus. File names can be misleading.
Always scan an attached file for viruses before you open
it. And unless it's a file or an image you are expecting,
delete it.
Turn off the
preview pane in Outlook and Outlook Express.
To help increase your e-mail security,
set Outlook 2003 or Outlook Express to read
all messages you receive as plain text.
Do not click on unsolicited links received
in email, instant messages, web forums, or internet relay
chat (IRC) channels.
Understand your browser's security
settings. Go
to Working with Internet Explorer 6 Security Settings* to
learn what you can do to tailor Internet Explorer's Security
Settings.
Stay informed. Did you
know that there are virus and security alerts almost every
day? Keep up-to-date on breaking viruses and solutions
by bookmarking our Around
Town site.
If you choose not to use EZ Armor
Security Software please purchase and use virus protection
software such as Norton
Antivirus** or Mcafee
Antivirus**. If you don't already have antivirus
software on your machine, acquire some now.
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**For
your convenience Road Runner has added links to some popular
products or websites. Time Warner Cable and Road Runner
do not endorse or support any of the products. They are
listed for your reference and represent only a portion
of those commercially available. |
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