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Virus Information
Please Note: To minimize potential damage and spread of viruses via Fort
Hays State University's network, the FHSU Computing and Telecommunication Center has implemented the following policy:
If your computer is the target or source of activity that threatens the local network, or if its
connectivity to our network threatens a remote network, administrators may disable your connection and/or any user
privileges without notice until the program is resolved.
If your FHSU Internet connection is disabled more than twice due to unsuccessful attempts to remove a
virus from your computer, at the discretion of the Computing and Telecommunication Center, service may be permanently
disabled for the remainder of the current semester.
How to Protect Your Computer from Virus Attacks
Where can I get free anti-virus software?
Basic Steps for Cleaning an Infected Computer
FHSU’s
Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy
E-mail Safety Tips: DO's & DON'Ts
Virus Warnings and Solicitations: What Should I Do?
How to Identify "Phishing" Messages
Delivery Error and Virus Notification Messages
Questionable Attachments and Links
Spyware and Adware - Is your computer protected?
Spyware/Adware/Malware --- What is it
and what can you do to protect yourself?
Be a positive force
in the FHSU electronic community!
HelpDesk Headlines
Where can I get free anti-virus software?
If you think your computer is already infected
with a virus, do NOT connect it to the Internet!
Free virus protection software can be downloaded from the following links using a computer that is
not infected*:
For Windows Vista, XP, NT, and 2000:
For Macintosh:
For instructions, see Basic Steps
for Cleaning an Infected Computer.
Note: These programs will help detect and remove most currently identifed viruses, but it is still necessary
to update your anti-virus software and perform operating system
updates regularly, as recommended by the developer of your operating
system. For details, see How to Protect Your Computer
From Virus Attacks.
*FHSU does not endorse any particular anti-virus solution, and other companies not mentioned here may provide comparable programs. Third-party programs listed here are not affiliated with Fort Hays State University or the CTC HelpDesk, and while we feel it is very important to use anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, we cannot make any guarantees regarding their use.
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Basic
Steps for Cleaning an Infected Computer:
Do NOT connect an infected computer
to the Internet. Where can I get free anti-virus software?
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Download your preferred virus cleaning or anti-virus program using a computer that is not infected. Refer to the
program's Help function or Web site for installation and usage instructions.
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Close all open applications on the infected computer. Transfer the downloaded file(s) to the infected computer using
a portable storage device, such as a USB drive or disk. (We recommend using an empty USB drive or disk, so it can be
reformatted immediately after completing these steps, without losing other data. This will ensure that it is not used
to transmit viruses from the infected computer.)
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Install the virus cleaning or anti-virus program on the infected computer.
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Scan the computer for viruses. Follow the program instructions to remove the infected files from your computer.
If you are prompted to restart, DO NOT RESTART at this time. In addition to scanning the main hard drive of the
computer, it is recommended that you also scan your portable storage device. Repeat this step to run the virus detection
program again until your computer is clean twice in a row. After the scans are clean twice in a row, you may
then restart the computer.
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As an additional precautionary step, you may wish to reformat your portable storage device. WARNING:
Reformatting will permanently delete all files contained on the device.
If you are unable to remove all viruses from your computer using these steps, we recommend contacting a computer
repair business for further assistance. A Technical Assistance Referral List of businesses and individuals
providing technical services in the local area (Hays, KS) may be obtained by contacting the CTC HelpDesk.
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If your FHSU Internet connection has been disabled due to virus or spyware activity, you must complete ALL of the above steps successfully - in the order presented before service can be restored. To reestablish your service,
contact the CTC HelpDesk at (785) 628-5276 or 1-800-628-FHSU.
NOTE: If your FHSU Internet connection is disabled more than twice due to unsuccessful attempts to
remove a virus from your computer, at the discretion of the Computing and Telecommunication Center, service may be
permanently disabled for the remainder of the current semester.
Remember, it is necessary to update your anti-virus/anti-spyware protection software regularly and perform
regular operating system updates. For details, see How to Protect Your Computer from Virus Attacks
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Delivery Error and Virus Notification
Messages
If you have received a delivery error or virus notification
for a message you did not send, the message was probably created
as the result of a virus on someone else's computer. Some viruses
"spoof" (change) the "From" address on e-mails
so that they appear to come from someone else. What often happens
is that someone's computer has a virus and they happened to have
your e-mail address (or the address of a listserv you belong to)
on the computer. It is extremely difficult to trace messages of
this nature to identify the sender.
Unless you receive a delivery error message for a
message you personally sent, it can be ignored. If you have any
reason to believe your computer has a virus, then we suggest updating
your virus software and scanning the computer. Otherwise, you can
simply just delete these messages.
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Questionable Attachments and Links
NEVER open an attachment unless you
know what it is and who sent it. If you have any doubts, contact
the sender by telephone or separate e-mail to ask if they sent it.
It would be better to delete a legitimate message and have to have
it sent again, than to open a malicious attachment and suffer the
consequences of having your computer infected with a virus.
Likewise, NEVER click on images or links to Web sites
if you are suspicious of them for any reason. This includes links
in e-mail messages and links on Web pages. Some links that may look
harmless are designed to redirect you to a site with undesirable
content (such as pornography) or to a site that will transmit a
virus to your computer (or both). Using a bit of caution while reading
e-mail and browsing the Internet can be quite helpful in avoiding
virus problems.
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