Think your computer is safe since you don’t open weird attachments? Think again.

CCU has been hit by scores of “malware” since the semester began. These damaging programs are similar to computer viruses in terms of causing problems. However, malware generally is designed to force advertising on the user, as opposed to viruses that replicate themselves.  Malware’s effect on your computer is often first noticed with increased pop-up ads, ever-slowing system speed, system instability and crashes, or when certain icons and file menu items fail. What the user doesn't notice, however, is the gaping vulnerability that has replaced what used to be your computer’s security and privacy protection. Following is a partial list of these system-clogging varieties of malware currently circulating.

PLEASE BE AWARE that ITS does not advocate the installation of non-standard software on PCs. Applications such as Incredimail, Gator, WeatherBug, Bonzi Buddy and Plaxo, although fun and in some cases useful, have been found to cause more trouble than they are worth. For a list of ITS approved software go to ITS Supported Software.

• In computer terms, a Trojan horse is a hidden program within an apparently harmless program that can take control and do its chosen form of damage. You will likely not intentionally load the Trojan, but if you begin noticing an inordinate number of pop-up/pop-under ads, chances are the ol’ wooden horse is inside your city fence.
• Stand-alone programs that secretly monitor system activity are called Spyware or Adware. They may detect passwords or other confidential information and transmit them to another computer. Spyware can be downloaded from Web sites (typically in free downloads), email messages, and instant messengers. A user may unknowingly trigger Spyware by clicking “I accept” (without reading what is being accepted!) when downloading a software program bundled with the invisible Spyware.
• Dialers are programs that use a system, without your permission or knowledge, to dial out through the Internet to a 900 number or FTP site, typically to accrue charges.
• A worm is a program that makes copies of itself; for example, from one disk drive to another, or by copying itself using email or another transport mechanism. The worm may do damage and compromise the security of the computer. It may arrive in the form of a joke program or software of some sort.
• Hoaxes are emails sent in chain letter fashion describing some devastating, highly unlikely type of virus or other calamity. Hoaxes generally have no file attachment, drop the name of some high profile individual or entity, and have a nearly hysterical tone. Hoaxes also include ecstatic invitations to share easily in great wealth and fortune, usually on Bill Gates’ or Walt Disney’s dime.
• Spam, as if we all don’t know, is unsolicited email. Usually it will be looking for ways to part you from your money.

• AGAIN! Don’t download and install free programs. Cute, free downloads and programs very often contain malware. Free smileys and emoticons aren’t worth the pain and strain that the accompanying malware may cause. Remember these names: Incredimail, Gator, WeatherBug, Bonzi Buddy and Plaxo.  

• Don’t ever fall for the hoaxes. Hint 1: Emails containing dire warnings or get-rich-quick schemes that urge you to “send this to everyone in your address book” are 99.99 % hoaxes. Hint 2: If it also says, “I’d rather get 100 notices than none at all, it’s 100% hoax. Hint 3. Remember what your mama told you: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Reconsider when you feel you must forward/forward/forward jokes or spiritual homilies to your co-workers. In addition to interrupting them and filling their Inbox beyond the quota, many people don’t want these distractions at work, and just don’t know how to tell you to stop. And the worst part? Find the last Fwd/Fwd/Fwd email you got and count the total number of addresses that are included. That is one way that spammers now have millions of email addresses…including yours.
• If you must forward an item, do it from the item itself, not from the message in your Inbox. This way prevents so many email addresses circulating.
• CONTACT YOUR IRC to schedule a system scan to determine if you have unwelcome software installed on your system without your knowledge.