Computer Viruses

Current major virus alert:

A new virus is sweeping around the world and recently began appearing on campus. Officially known as "W32/Mytob.cv@MM", it arrives attached to an e-mail that is addressed in such a way as to appear from the computer support group. The e-mail so far received in Internal Medicine have a subject line of "YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY UPDATED YOUR PASSWORD" and are coming from an address of "service@im.wustl.edu". This is not a real e-mail address. To read more about this virus go to the following link:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_134245.htm

Previous major virus information:
  • W32/Sasser.worm.f

  • W32/PolyBot

  • Nachi / Welchia worm

    • Steps to avoid virus infection:

  • Avoid opening emails from unknown senders. This includes mail from sources such as "Admin", "Administrator", "Post Master", "Symantec Corporation", "Microsoft", etc.

  • Only open attachments from known senders, and then only when a mail with an attachment is expected.

  • Always keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. These applications should be set to update their virus definitions automatically

  • If you believe your system to be infected, immediately contact your IS department. Do not continue to share files, emails, etc., as this may allow the virus to propagate more quickly across the network.

    • Signs / Indications of possible viral infection:

  • Receiving messages from your virus software (McAfee, Norton, etc.) indicating a detected infection.

  • Slow network activity including web browsing, sending / receiving email, copying / pasting to / from network drives, etc.

  • Erratic operating system and / or application behavior including applications not launching, operating system not booting properly, applications unexpectedly terminating, operating system not being able to perform routine functions (cut & paste, right-clicking, etc.), mouse or keyboard not functioning properly, etc.

  • Unexpected messages or dialog boxes appearing on-screen.

  • Excessive attempted access to a 3.5-inch floppy diskette drive (access LED may be on more or less constantly or receiving messages "Please insert a floppy diskette into drive A:")

  • Losing ability to print or printed pages contain unintelligible or garbled text.

    • Sites for virus details, characteristics, and removal procedures:

  • Network Associates McAfee Virus Information Library

  • Symantec Norton Antivirus Security Response

    • Computing Support Services
    Department of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine