New viruses use instant messaging to entice users
by J. Ballard, Computing and Network Services
published Feb. 15, 2005
A new generation of viruses is circulating the Internet and infecting computers at K-State
through instant-messaging services. These viruses are commonly referred to as "IRC bots" because they
turn infected computers into zombies (robots) that "phone home" through Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
and are then controlled by malicious users on the Internet.
The bad news: There's no easy way to clean them up.
Infected computers identified on the K-State network are being blocked until they are
reformatted and reinstalled with all security updates and patches.
The good news: Most infections can be easily prevented by following these instant-messaging rules:
- Don't click on web addresses received from friends through instant messaging. A
message saying "Valentine pictures!!! http://www.badurl.com/photos.pif !!!"
from an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) friend can be intriguing, but don't go there.
- Don't accept file transfers from friends via instant messaging, especially ones ending in .scr or .pif.
Those are Windows executable file formats (without the typical .exe extension) and are likely viruses.
When someone on your buddy list in MSN Messenger sends a file named hahahaha.pif or
bestfriends.scr or one with sexual references, it's not worth the risk.
- Be especially leery of "away" messages with links. Don't click on them!
Students in the residence halls with infected computers should contact
Residential Networking for assistance.
Faculty/staff in campus offices should contact their departmental IT support staff.
Bonus TechBytes session Feb. 16 on Apple products
by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Feb. 15, 2005
A bonus TechBytes session 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, has been moved (from Room 213) to the
Union Sunflower Room due to anticipated higher turnout. Note the room change.
An Apple representative will be here to showcase
some of their new products and give a presentation on
"What every PC user needs to know about Mac".
Learn more about Apple's new iPod Shuffle, Mac mini, and iLife
applications. Participate in a discussion on digital learning and
instruction technologies including podcasting.
There will be free giveaways. Don't miss out!
TechBytes Feb. 18: Scanning
by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Feb. 15, 2005
Scanning is the TechBytes topic at 1:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, in 501
Hale Library. This demonstration will provide an overview of proper
scanning techniques, resolution options, and how to optimize file size.
Visit the TechBytes website for more on other resources.
Atomic Online learning topics for faculty/staff
by S. Silva, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Feb. 15, 2005
Through Kan-ed and iTAC, K-State faculty and staff have access to Atomic
Online learning that includes training in areas such as Adobe,
Macromedia, Microsoft, Sun, and more. There are a limited number of
licenses. Therefore, as enrollment increases, we will be checking to see
how often the training is being used by those currently enrolled. In
order to gain access to the learning material, send an e-mail request to
Sarah Silva (gr8ful@ksu.edu) asking for access and listing your eID.
Your access will be set up and a follow-up e-mail with instructions will
be sent to you.
2005 IT Spring Symposium, and
2005 IT Security Conference
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Feb. 15, 2005
The 2005 IT Spring Symposium will be held at the National Center for Employee
Development in Norman, Okla., on Thursday, April 28. Sessions will begin at
7:30 a.m. with early registration and breakfast, and conclude by 5 p.m.
with drawings for the door prizes. Symposium topics include security,
emerging technologies, project portfolio management, wireless, and web
applications. This event is free to all participants; use the online
registration form.
The 2005 IT Security Conference organized by the
Universities of the Big 12 is scheduled April 25-27 (Mon-Wed). Hosted at the OCCE
Forum on the University of Oklahoma's South Campus, participants
will complete three full days of classes in three training tracks:
CISSP, Security +, and Basic Forensics.
Registration before March 15 is $599 for Big 12 employees ($999 non-academic) and increases thereafter.
For more information and to register,
visit OU's security conference site.
| On the spot: IT questions from K-Staters |
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published Feb. 15, 2005
Will my Windows 95 PC connect to the campus network after Feb. 18?
No. Feb. 18 is the last day to remove all Windows 95, NT 3.51, and earlier computer systems
from the campus network. This is being done for security reasons, since those older machines only run
Symantec AntiVirus version 7.6. Unfortunately, that version is no longer being supported by Symantec, so it
cannot be updated to handle the latest viruses.
All K-Staters should be running the latest version of Symantec AntiVirus, which is version 9.1.1.
Have a question or comment?
TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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