Systems | Library | University of Waterloo

Virus Information

Where can I find information about viruses?
What should I do when I receive an email warning about a virus?
What should I do if I think my PC has a virus?
How can I protect myself against viruses?
How do I update my Norton AntiVirus Definitions?
How can I get Norton AntiVirus software for my home PC?

Where can I find information about viruses?

UW's IST Dept. maintains an excellent virus information site at: http://www.ist.uwaterloo.ca/admin/virus.html.

What should I do when I receive an email warning about a virus?

Do not forward the warning to others unless you have checked it out first. Most of these "I want to warn you about a virus" messages are hoaxes. A mass mailing to your friends and colleagues is exactly what the creator wants and you're just further loading the Internet with hoax messages.

Go to one of the virus/hoax sites and search by the subject line or file referred to in the email message. If it's a hoax, just delete the message.
Example virus/hoax sites:
http://www.canada-av.com/, http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html, http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/

If it is a valid virus warning, forward the message to Systems. (LibrarySystems@library.uwaterloo.ca)

What should I do if I think my PC has a virus?

Immediately contact Systems at x2405

If you see a Norton AntiVirus warning that a file contains a virus, the safest action is to delete the file.
o If it is a valid email message, it can be resent.
o If it is a file on your hard drive that you need, contact Systems.
o After deleting a virus, empty your 'Deleted Items' folder in Outlook and empty your Recycle Bin as well.

How can I protect myself against viruses?

Systems configures Library staff PCs to automatically update the Norton AntiVirus definitions and to scan for viruses once a week.

Keep your Norton AntiVirus definitions up to date. Always allow the scheduled weekly virus definitions update job to run on your Library PC.

Always allow the scheduled weekly virus scan job to run on your Library PC. If a virus is detected, immediately contact Systems at x2405.

DO NOT OPEN any odd-looking email message or any attachment you were not expecting, even if it is from someone you know. Delete these messages immediately and also delete them from your "Deleted Mail" folder.
Viruses have been spread most often via attached files with a .bat, .bin, .chm, .com, .dat, .exe, .o, .pif, .scr, .vbe, .vbs. More recently we've been seeing viruses spread as .html files, security patch emails appearing to be sent from Microsoft or instructions to delete a system file to escape a virus attack. Do not act on these messages. Be suspicious and contact Systems at x2405 if you're uncertain.

Before you load files from a floppy disk from home, friends, colleagues or an unknown source, scan it for viruses. To do this:
o Insert the floppy in the A: drive
o Open Norton AntiVirus (double-click the Norton AntiVirus icon on the lower right-hand corner of your screen or on the Programs/Norton Antivirus menu)
o Click on "Scan a floppy disk"
o Click on "3½ Floppy A:"
o Click on "Scan"
o When the scan is completed, if the status is "Viruses found:0", close the scan and Norton AntiVirus windows and carry on
o If a virus is detected, do not load any files from the floppy. Contact Systems at x2405

How do I update my Norton AntiVirus Definitions?

Library staff PCs are set up to automatically update the Norton AntiVirus definitions once a week. Occasionally Systems may ask you to run a manual update (e.g. when a new high-threat virus has been announced). To run a manual update:

Double-click the Norton AntiVirus icon on the lower right-hand corner of your screen (or on the Programs/Norton Antivirus menu)
Click the "Live Update" button
Click "Next"
Click "Finish"
Click "Exit"
Note that the "Virus Definitions" date in the Norton AntiVirus window does not change until you close the window

If Live Update is too busy and won't connect to the file site:

Determine your version of Norton AntiVirus by hovering the mouse pointer over the Norton icon on the lower right of the screen
o If your version is "Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition" (icon is a small gold shield), go to S:\!ALL LIBRARY\Nav updates\nav7\ and double-click on the file contained in this folder; answer "Yes" to start and "OK" to finish
o If your version is "Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Enabled" (icon is a small black medical bag), go to S:\!ALL LIBRARY\Nav updates\nav501\ and double-click on the file contained in this folder; answer "Yes" to start and "OK" to finish

How can I get Norton AntiVirus software for my home PC?

The campus Norton AntiVirus site license includes home use for UW staff. It's included on the UW Home CD available for purchase from the Computing Help and Information Place (MC 1052) at a cost of $15 (http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/cs/homecd.html)

The Systems Department will loan, at no charge, a copy of a similar CD customized for Library staff for home installation. Contact Systems at x2405 for more information.

February 23, 2007