A Virus Strikes Again

by Bob Seidel

I like to write these columns about fun things - digital cameras, MP3 music, fun things on the Internet. I really hate to lecture to people about virus protection. They just don't listen. BUT NOW THE GLOVES ARE COMING OFF!

There is a new series of viruses around. They haven't gotten much publicity because they don't do much harm (right now). They are actually worms, rather than viruses. Worms propagate themselves from computer to computer (worming through the 'net), but don't do any specific malicious damage. This worm is called the Wscript.KakWorm - or Kak for short. There are at least two derivatives of Kak around. The worm spreads by e-mail - if you are infected, it will include a copy of itself in every e-mail you send - and then your friends are infected, and their friends, and so on!

Why I am getting ticked off is that I am getting infected e-mail from many sources now, and many of my clients have caught it. It takes me quite a bit of time to disinfect my e-mail if someone sends me a copy of the worm, and I can't read any of my other e-mail until I disinfect it. Very annoying!

So, here is the Bob Seidel Consulting list of things to do to protect yourself from viruses and worms. No arguing, just go out and DO IT NOW. If you can't, please call and I can help.

1) Get a virus check program. Either of the two leading ones, Norton Anti-Virus (by Symantec) or McAfee VirusScan is fine. You can buy them online if you wish. See www.symantec.com or www.mcafee.com

2) Set up the virus check program to check ALL files, not just program files.

3) Set up the virus check program to check your e-mail.

4) Set up to automatically scan your PC EVERY DAY.

5) Set up the automatic virus definition update facility to download new virus updates EVERY DAY (do this before you run the virus check).

6) If you get a virus infestation indication from the virus checking software, make sure you follow all directions to disinfect it immediately. If you can't do it, get professional help.

7) Do not read e-mail from anyone you don't know. If you can't live with that (some people are just naturally inquisitive), then PLEASE don't open any attachments. Only open an attachment from someone you know and trust.

8) Get professional help. If you can't do these steps, get someone to do it for you. Otherwise, you become part of the problem, by passing on worms and viruses to the rest of us.

Now I hate to be so harsh. But the only way we are going to beat viruses is to all work together to stop them.

And if I get one more copy of Kak from you, I am going to start to get REALLY mean and nasty...

(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport / Oak Island area. You can visit his website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail him at bsc@bobseidel.com).