Virus Protection Recommendations

Overview

Montana State University - Bozeman centrally funds the use McAfee anti-virus software for all MSU - Bozeman owned computers. This central funding provides a licensed copy of the McAfee software for all MSU - Bozeman owned computer systems. The benefit is of this central funding is that all MSU - Bozeman owned computers are provided on-going virus protection, including updates of the software and virus definitions that can be scheduled to run periodically so that your computer is always protected. Virex for Macintosh computers is also provided through central funding.

Virus Basics

Viruses are normally maliciously created to invade a person’s computer and inflict varying degrees of damage or interruption to the computer’s operation and / or data, operating system, or programs installed on the computer. Virus protection software protects a computer by screening the flow of data coming into the computer from the internet, e-mails, data transfers, floppy disks and other external sources of data, as well as periodically screening existing information on the hard drive(s) of the computer. Because new viruses are continually being created, there is the possibility that your computer could become infected even though you have the most current anti-virus software and virus definitions installed on your computer. However the risk of this happening is extremely small if you have correctly protected your computer system.

Virus Prevention

Anti-Virus Software – There are two parts to anti-virus software, the scan engine and the virus definitions. The scan engine determines what areas of the computer are to be examined, how they are examined and how repairs are implemented should a virus be found. The virus definitions are used by the scan engine and contain indications of suspicious patterns or occurrences to look for in a data stream that may indicate a virus. Because new viruses are continually being introduced, both the scan engine and virus definitions need to be updated periodically. Normally a new virus strikes someone else’s computer first, virus definitions are created by the manufacturers of anti-virus software and are made available by way of new virus definition files that can then be loaded on to an individual’s computer and this will then protect the individual’s computer from invasion by the new virus.
Anti-Virus Software Use - When dealing with computer viruses, the adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” says it all. The MSU – Bozeman ITC Department recommends that all computers have McAfee anti-virus software installed and set to scan program files on the computer’s hard drive(s) weekly, as well as continually scanning incoming e-mails, information from the web, and all other incoming information. The McAfee software should be scheduled to automatically update its virus definitions and scan engine daily from the McAfee site.

What to do when a new virus strikes

In the event a new virus is introduced and a virus alert is sent out by ITC, we recommend that a manual update of the virus definitions on your computer be performed and that your computer then be manually scanned for viruses. To manually scan your computer for viruses, first remove all floppy disks, ZIP disks or other external storage media from the computer. These should be scanned separately. If you have McAfee installed, in most cases you can run the program by going to your computer’s start button, choosing programs, and then the Network Associates folder, followed by choosing VirusScan. This should display a window on your monitor titled “VirusScan.” In the Virus Scan Window, make the following selections:

1. Set the Scan in: pane of the window to “ C:\” by erasing whatever is there and typing this in the pane (do not enter the quotation marks).

2. Choose to include subfolders by placing a checkmark in the checkbox next to this option.

3. Choose to scan all files by selecting the radio button next to the All Files option.

4. Choose to scan compressed files by placing a checkmark in the checkbox next to this option.

Click the Scan Now Button. This will cause everything on your computer to be scanned for viruses. If a virus is detected we recommend that before you do anything else, you contact the MSU Help Desk at 994-1777.

If you currently have a virus, or you suspect you might have a virus

If you currently have a virus, or are concerned that you might have a virus you should disconnect your computer from the network by unplugging the network connection cable (usually blue in color) on the back of your computer. Call the MSU Help Desk at 994-1777 to let them know you suspect that you have a virus and to determine a course of action. Your course of action will differ depending on your hard drive’s file system. If you are using the FAT 32 file system, you may be instructed to scan your computer to detect and remove (if possible) the virus, by booting from a known clean floppy disk containing anti-virus software and current virus definitions, and running the virus scan of your hard drive(s) from the software on the floppy disk. If your hard drive’s file system is NTFS, then the Domain Administrator for your domain may have to perform a scan of your hard drive from a remote location. In either case, if you do not have a current McAfee License then you should purchase the McAfee Software license from the Montana State University ITC Store at 994-2900. If you already have a legal copy of McAfee, you should call the Help Desk at 1777 for assistance in eradicating your virus before reconnecting the computer to the network.

If the scan of your hard drive(s) indicates your hard drive(s) are clean or have been cleaned and you have no viruses, you may then reconnect your computer to the network and manually update the virus definitions on your computer.

Accessing McAfee on the MSU Network for installation and updates

McAfee software, including the installation files and update files, is available for download to computers attached to the MSU network once a license has been purchased and for the 2 year duration of the license. The administrative tool used to provide authorized individuals the access to the McAfee software on the MSU network is the Windows NT group structure. Once a user purchases a McAfee license, the user’s name is placed into the McAfee Group. In order to access the files over the network the user must be a member of the MSU domain and be logged in to the MSU Domain with a user name that belongs to the McAfee Group. If you are not a member of the MSU domain, you can be added to the domain by purchasing a Microsoft Windows Client Access License for $6.00.

Advantages to using McAfee Anti-Virus Software and purchasing McAfee through the MSU ITC Store

Research and expertise – The MSU ITC department evaluated a variety of Anti-virus software packages prior to the selection of McAfee and entry into an agreement with them. McAfee was deemed to be the best solution for the Campuses of MSU based on performance and price.
Local Access – The MSU-Bozeman ITC department maintains a server that provides an install point for McAfee virus definitions and scan engines. Additionally, the MSU site provides executable files which are not available from the McAfee site and service packs that would take an excessive amount of time to download from the McAfee site as well as major scan engine updates that are not available directly from the McAfee site.
Best Price – Because ITC has negotiated an agreement directly with Network Associates, the Manufacturer of McAfee, pricing for this product, when purchased through the ITC Store is lower than can be obtained anywhere else.
ITC Support – Should a virus attack your computer, ITC support services can be contacted through the ITC Help Desk at 994-1777 to aid with the removal of the virus. If you have an up to date, legally licensed, version of McAfee installed on your computer, and it is correctly installed, the first half hour of labor for this service is provided at no charge.
Virus notifications and information pertaining to major upgrade releases to the software are distributed by ITC to members of the MSU Service Providers Network.