A lot has happened on the web this summer, including the development of a nasty worm by the name of W32.Blaster. This virus has been spreading on the web at an incredible rate and we want you to be able to keep your computer protected from this virus so that you and the rest of the people sharing the network will not have greater problems to deal with later on.

What do you need to know so you can be protected when you connect to the network?

Before plugging your computer into the wall, you should contact your RA for more information about this worm. The RAs will be receiving CDs containing Windows patches to prevent infection and removal tools if you are already infected.

If unpatched, your computer is vulnerable to this worm and possibly other malicious attacks. It is for this reason, that we are asking you to be sure that your computer is clean and secure before connecting to the network.

Failure to take these precautions will result in your computer being infected and your connection being turned off by network security. If you think your computer might be infected and is already connected in your room, unplug your network cable from the wall immediately until you can run the removal tools provided by your RA as soon as possible. If left connected, your connection could be turned off by Network Security if they detect the virus on your computer. If this does happen, you must schedule an appointment with your local ResCom office to have your computer cleaned and patched before your connection can be restored. These appointments will not be made until after all of the arriving students are connected to the network.

Steps to secure your computer from the windows vulnerability:

• Contact your RA for the removal tool/patch CD

• Insert CD into your CD drive and wait for your web browser to autoload a web page from the CD containing information on the vulnerability and the virus.

• Select your operating system from list at bottom of the page.

  • If your computer is vulnerable to the virus, a series of virus checks and patches are listed in the order that they should be applied.  (Your computer will not be safe from the virus until all the steps are completed.)

  • If your computer is not affected by the vulnerability it is highly recommended that  following the information on how to download other critical windows updates and install Norton anti virus if its not already.

Once your computer has been patched you will be safe from the MSBlaster worm. However, it is recommended that you read the other information listed on the CD about obtaining other patches for Windows from Microsoft. Also be sure that an anti-virus program (such as Norton Antivirus, supplied in the PAC-ITS CD) is installed on your machine and kept updated.