What is a virus and how does it work?  Understanding basic principles will help you avoid them.  This presentation on "Virus Busting" explains the basics of what viruses are and how to protect yourself.

Get McAfee VirusScan for Free!

Students, staff and faculty of the University of Michigan may download McAfee VirusScan anti-virus software for the UM Virus Buster's Web site for their personal computers.  Install it on your computer, and be sure to keep it up to date - you need the latest protection and patches to be safe.

McAfee VirusScan is installed on Business School office, classroom and lab computers.

Keep Your Anti-Virus Software Updated Weekly

Updates are available from your software vendor's web site.  Networked Business School Computers with McAfee typically auto-update on Thursdays if the computer is turned on and a user is logged into the network on it.

Have an Always-On Internet Connection?

If you have a cable modem or DSL connection, you may wish to purchase anti-virus software such as Black Ice or Zone Alarm that is designed for these always-on connections.  The safest practice is to keep your computer turned off when not in use.

Smart Practices

It is important that every member of our community observes anti-virus practices.

The Business School has been hit by several viruses over the last several years by members not following these simple rules of thumb:

• Do not open attachments (or messages) that you are not expecting, even if it appears to be from someone you know.  Many "worm" viruses spread by using the personal e-mail address book on the infected computer, so it can appear to come from that sender.  At this point in time, you cannot get a virus from opening the email message, only the attachment.  If in doubt and you want to open it, check with the sender first to confirm they really did send it to you. Be especially wary of files with .exe, .doc and .xls extensions, among others that carry executable and macro viruses. Typically graphic files with .jpg or .gif files do not transmit viruses.

• Scan floppy and zip disks with a complete disk scan before opening any files on the disk.  Don't rely on the automatic scan to catch boot sector start-up viruses triggered by turning on your computer with the disk left in the drive.

• Don't spread hoax virus rumors or chain mail - the taxing of mail servers from this is the "virus" itself.

• Do not download executable program files of questionable origin.  Many viruses are spread by attaching to programs that launch the virus when the program is run.

• Do not rely on anti-virus software to protect you from the above - viruses are designed to circumvent the current protection. 

• Keep your anti-virus software up to date. Typically vendors provide updates weekly or sometimes daily when new viruses hit. UM's auto-updating version of McAfee VirusScan regularly checks for updates when the computer is connected to the Internet.