Protecting Your Computer
New viruses and worms are being released daily. The majority of these exploit unpatched Windows Operating System computers. The Macintosh Operating System needs to be patched and have virus protection also, but the vast majority of worms and viruses target the Windows OS. To protect your Windows OS computer it is essential that you do the following:

1. Run Windows Update and install critical patches.
2. Install and update virus protection software. Symantec AntiVirus is installed on all university owened computers and is available for free to SEU students. See intructions for Updating Virus Definitions.
3. Run Microsoft Office Updates.
4. Never open an e-mail attachment that you were not expecting. File types associated with viruses are automatically removed from St. Edward's e-mail.

Virus/Worm/Scam Alerts

How can I prevent worms or viruses from infecting my computer? Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your home system:

• Don't open unknown attachments.
• Use up-to-date antivirus software.
• Enable a firewall on your home computer. This is not necessary on the St. Edward's campus.
• Get the latest computer updates.
• Use strong passwords.
• Remove unneeded network shares.

For more information see

• Microsoft's Security Advisory on Win32/Mywife.E@mm
• Symantec's w32.blackmal.e@mm

If you think you are infected there is a removal tool on the Symantec site. Call the Computer Help Desk if you have questions or need assistance.

6/1/5 Phishing Scams

An email is currently making the rounds of all acad.stedwards.edu accounts. The email purports to come from admin@acad.stedwards.edu or info@acad.stedwards.edu. It requests that the user login to a web site to update their account information. This email does not come from any St. Edward's source. It is a phishing scam which hopes to trick unwary people into entering their login and password information into a site which stores the information.