Viruses and Spyware
What is a Virus? A virus can be defined as a computer program that can reproduce by changing other programs to include a copy of itself. It is a parasite program, needing another program to survive. For our purposes, that program is Microsoft Windows
How many viruses are out there? Many.
Yale’s Network Our network is particularly vulnerable
Yale’s Network We are not a closed corporate network We have a federated IT structure We have STUDENTS
How is the Library protected? Norton Antivirus updated daily Microsoft Security Patches
Norton Antivirus Constantly scans system files for viruses. Does this in “real time” New virus definitions are delivered when needed.
Norton Antivirus Norton is REACTIVE not PROACTIVE This means that only known viruses can be caught There have been several times where something originates here at Yale or at another university before Norton finds it. Norton cannot a stop virus in this case
Norton Antivirus Norton also does not necessarily remove the virus from the machine. It will block access to it, but if a machine is open to the exploit, there still is the chance it will be successfully executed
How can I tell if I have a problem with Norton? Normal Norton Shield Red cross through Shield Yellow exclamation point
Norton Antivirus What do they mean? Realtime protection not active Norton Antivirus services not loaded Both are not good
Norton Antivirus other problems No shield at all Not updating every day Virus Definitions are not recent (several weeks old) Hands on
When Norton catches a virus A window pops up. What this window says is very important
When Norton catches a virus This is good
When Norton catches a virus This is bad
When Norton catches a virus So long as your computer says “quarantine succeeded”, the virus has been caught. If it says anything else, contact W&WS immediately.
When Norton catches a virus Norton does not delete it but“quarantines” it. Goes back to a time when viruses infected legitimate documents Generally no longer the case. Viruses are no longer worth keeping. If Norton catches it, they already know about it
Clearing the Quarantine As a result, as viruses are caught on your computer they fill up the quarantine. This leads to annoying messages asking you to try and “fix” the files This is useless. You cannot fix a modern virus. We should just clear out the quarantine. This is how:
Clearing the Quarantine
Clearing the quarantine
Virus transmission Most common methods: Executed by someone clicking on an attachment. Automatically through a network via security holes/flaws
Virus transmission How do we stop them? well…
Messages viruses are a fact of life, and there is little that you can do at the computer end to stop them. (Do not filter at the computer!) Be suspicious of attachments from unknown sources.
Messages Do not set your program to "auto- run" attachments. We have ITS renaming files so that people have to go through several steps to open attachments. This reduces the likelihood of “accidentally “ clicking on an attachment.
Virus transmission Verify that attachments have been sent by the author of the . Newer viruses can send messages that APPEAR to be from people you know.
Virus transmission Speaking of which….
messages headers can be forged. This means that the person in the “from” address did NOT send the virus. The virus simply picks and chooses two random addresses from your computer and sends it
messages Just because a virus arrives with someone’s name attached to it. This does not mean that they have a virus.
Forged header example
Virus transmission Viruses exploit security flaws within Windows Almost all of these flaws are public knowledge with an available fix Viruses exploit security flaws within Windows
Virus transmission Virus infections are preventable via patching Case in point:
Virus transmission The Sasser worm exploits a hole in Windows that was patched on April 13, The Sasser worm started making it’s rounds on April 30th. People had 17 days to patch their machines.
Virus transmission As a result of patching all of our machines, the Library did not have a single computer found with the Sasser Worm.
Software Update Services This is a result of Software Update Services. This is an automated, centrally managed service that allows automatic application of patches on Yale Library workstations
Software Update Services What you need to know
Software Update Services This globe indicates that the updates have been automatically sent to your computer
Software Update Services Because Library users are administrators on their machines, users can override this.
Software Update Services Tell your users to click YES when this window appears
Software Update Services Tasks for expert users Make sure computers are turned on frequently. If people are away, please make sure their workstations are turned on regularly. Login is not necessary
Spyware: What is it? Spyware is deceptive software, which promises you a feature or utility in return for secretly tracking your web surfing habits for advertising purposes.
Spyware Why Spyware is bad: It is a possible security risk (redirects) It is network intensive Violates your privacy Violates Yale’s ‘privacy’ (can monitor ALL your network traffic) It is annoying
How do I tell if I have spyware? 5 Signs: Extra system tray icons Extra toolbars in Internet Explorer Redirected home page Popups ALL the time S L O W Computer
How do I remove spyware The best way: Spyware removal tools We use Spybot Search and Destroy Sometimes even the uninstallers are deceptive