Information Technology Team
Computer Viruses 		logo: U of MN Extension


Computer virus: a computer program that attaches itself to another program in computer memory or on a disk, and spreads from one program to another. Viruses are often malicious and may; damage data, cause the computer to crash, display messages, and assorted other things.


Here are a few things you should be doing to prevent computer virus infections:

  1. Never boot your machine while a diskette is in its floppy drive. Boot sector viruses make up one of the largest groups of computer viruses. The only way they can infect your hard drive is if you boot from an infected diskette. (Change your boot sequence to "C: then A:" if allowed in your BIOS setup.)

  2. Scan all foreign diskettes with an up-to-date virus scanner. Install the TSR version of your scanner - it offers some level of protection for the times you forget to scan.

  3. Scan all files you download from the internet with an up-to-date virus scanner.

Other things you can do to minimize damage if your machine does get infected are:

  1. Make regular backups of your hard drive. Rotate several sets of backup media.

  2. Make a clean boot diskette for your machines operating system, if you don't already have one. Write protect it and store it where you can find it again.

If your computer is infected with a virus - don't panic. If you are not sure what to do, leave your computer turned off until you find someone to remove the virus for you. Sometimes a badly thought out attempt to remove a virus will do more damage than the virus itself might have done.

Here are a couple sites where you can find out more information about computer viruses and also download trial versions of anti-virus software:

Command Anti-Virus
McAfee Anti-Virus

The version for Windows 95 is now called "Command Anti-Virus". This software was formerly called F-PROT Professional. Command Anti-Virus is available through a special University of Minnesota site license. The cost is $8.00 per computer for the first year and $4.00 per computer in subsequent years.

County Extension offices should e-mail Command Anti-Virus license requests to Dorene Davick (ddavick@extension.umn.edu). Indicate how many licenses you would like to purchase.

Campus offices can get ordering information at the following URL: http://www1.umn.edu/oit/newsletter/0497-itn/fprot_license.html (or call 5-1300).

If you need additional information on Command Anti-Virus (F-PROT) or other computer virus issues, contact the Information Technology Help Line at 612/624-6700.


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URL: http:// www3.extension.umn.edu/units/cets/it/viruses.html  This page was updated Feb. 20, 2001 .
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