Computer viruses and adware/spyware continue to cause campus network outages and slowdowns. To maintain essential network services, users must maintain their computer and be alert to suspicious Web and e-mail activities. Viruses and spyware can enter your system through e-mail attachments, malicious Web pages, Instant Messaging, peer-to-peer file sharing programs (Kazaa, Gnutella, or Blubster) or unpatched Windows operating systems. Anytime you install software or download files from an unknown source, it often results in the unintentional installation of malicious viruses and spyware on your computer.

To protect your computer and the network resource:

1. Download, install and keep updated Symantic Antivirus on your computer. This is available free by clicking on the Information Technology tab in Luminis.
2. Update your Windows operating system regularly with Critical Updates and Service Packs by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
3. To remove spyware from your computer, install the free version of AdAware available from http://www.ad-aware.com
4. Do not open e-mail attachments unless you are expecting it from a trusted source.
5. Do not open attachments received through Hotmail or Yahoo e-mail.
6. Be very suspicious of Web links and files sent to you in Instant Messaging.

These steps are essential to maintaining your campus network services.