I used this material as a basis for discussion in an OPLIN Public 
Workstation maintenance class.  It should be reviewed prior to 
dissemination since it contains information about personal 
experiences with viruses and may not reflect your experience.  
I have also noticed that the layout of text should be reviewed.  
-Lesch


OPLIN WORKSTATION MAINTENANCE
10/7/97

COMPUTER VIRUSES

A computer virus, according to one online dictionary is:

A program that infects a computer by attaching itself to another 
program, and propagating itself when that program is executed.  
A computer can become infected by files downloaded over a network, 
or by the installation of new software or floppy disks that are 
infected with viruses.  Some viruses are only pranks, and 
perform harmless actions like displaying a screen with a joke 
message on it.  Others can destroy files or wipe out a hard drive.  
To avoid damage from viruses, write-protect the boot disk and 
other important disks, check new software or disks for viruses, 
and have virus protection software installed on the computer at 
all times. Disinfectant programs must be updated periodically 
because new virus get into circulation over time.
     CCI Computer Dictionary, 9/16/97  12:25pm
     http://www.currents.net/resources/dict/definition.html?virus

COMMENTS
* This definition is dated!
* Viruses can be benign.
* Vigilance is your best defense.



A PERSONAL COMMENT
My home computer has been infected by one virus, which in turn 
infected about half of all of the floppy disks I owned at the time.
My machine was infected by copying a shareware disk obtained from my
local library!


Some facts gathered from a few informative resources 
(easily understood articles):

       -----IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center has collected 
              more than 10,000 viruses!!! (Keep in mind the date of
              this article, and the firgure approaches something on 
              the order of 13-15 thousand viruses, possibly more.)
       -----Six to nine new viruses are found daily.
       -----Viruses spread through Word documents are now the most 
              common type of 	virus in North America.
       -----Internet programming languages, like Java, will make 
              matters worse because of serious security loopholes 
              they provide to virus propagators.
       -----Use caution when downloading web files and when opening
              e-mail attachments from strangers.
       -----Be forewarned: If you search the Internet for information
              about viruses, you are likely to encounter pages written
              by those who would propagate them.
       -----Be Prepared.  Use the best protection you can afford, 
              whether that means freeware or expensive commercial 
              protection.
       -----Remember that many PC's are connected to a network.  
              It needs protection too.



SUGGESTIONS FOR USING VIRUS PROTECTION
* Train all library staff to know the basic signs AND routes of virus
  infection. If this is not possible, look for virus protection 
  software that will "lock" a machine and deny access to it (period) 
  until qualified personnel can attend to it.
* Look for protection that offers at least some of the following: 
  real-time (active) scanning and detection, periodic updates through 
  mailed disks and/or internet access, online or telephone support 
  services, and scheduled scanning (so it runs every day or after a 
  specified amount of idle time).
* Spread knowledge, not fear.  people tend to disregard what they 
  don't understand, and they tend to run from what scares them.
* OPLIN machines are accessible to everyone, including library staff 
  carrying floppy disks.  Think about it.

Websites:
       -----The National Computer Security Association 
              (http://www.ncsa.com/), one of the definitive sources on
              viruses and virus hoaxes.
       -----Microsoft Corporation 
              (http://www.microsoft.com/office/antivirus/), a site 
              geared specifically toward combating viruses transmitted
              in and through Word documents and Excel documents, i.e., 
              MS Office products.
       -----Yahoo! - (www.yahoo.com), a list of many vendors can be 
              found in the following direcory:  Business and 
              Economy:Companies:Computers:Software:System Utilities:
              Utilities:Virus Protection



Sources for this section:
Tamara E. Holmes, Computer viruses' insidious spread Industry takes 
 preventative measures., USA TODAY, 03-06-1997, pp 06D.
 (Basic message: don't panic.  A few very important links are 
 provided in it.)

Bill Husted, PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY: CYBERSCENE: Learn about viruses 
 before they strike., The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 
 03-06-1996, pp. G06. (Basic reading)

Lenny Bailes, Feature: Virus Alert! -- Thousands of PC viruses are out
 there, and each day more insidious invaders appear- to be safe, you 
 have to know your enemy and know how to fight back.., Windows, 
 04-01-1997, pp 231. (This article is great introductory reading on
 viruses!)

Note: Software demonstrated as an illustration of virus protection- 
 F-Prot Professional for Windows 95(2.27), Command Software Systems,
 inc., 1997.