My computer and I evidently have something in common.
I can't process information as fast as my computer, and I don't have the memory capacities it does, but we're definitely not performing up to par.
We both have a virus.
Okay, so mine is just a cold that's making me irritable enough to smash my computer to oblivion if it doesn't start working soon.
As if the MyDoom virus weren't enough for us, those bitter, unemployed programmers are attacking again with a new virus called Netsky.d that is already clogging e-mail accounts. The U.S. House of Representatives Call Center confirmed that some computers on Capitol Hill have already been infected by the virus, which was slated for its biggest hit today between 6 and 9 a.m. It will also attempt to remove copies of the MyDoom.a and MyDoom.b worms if the machine was previously infected. Fan-bloody-tastic.
According ZDNet, this newest variation of the Netsky virus only attacks Windows users. So, those of you using Linux, Unix, and Mac OS can gloat and hee-haw all you want at us normal, mainstream Windows users ... until you get hit with one, that is. Netsky.d arrives with a spoofed e-mail return address and a random subject line like "re: details," or "re: here's the document." The body text consists of a short sentence randomly chosen from a long list. The attached file uses a random selection of words with a program information file (.pif) extension.
Some people have already caught the wrath of Netsky and other viruses recently. Jimmie Pedicone, a political science and Italian junior, became aware of some problems on his computer, but was able to fend them off. "You just have to update and upgrade," he said. "I always make sure to keep a good anti-virus program because I really don't want to deal with the effects of a bogus virus."
So, to help ASU students avoid any prospect of catching Netsky, ASU Information Technology offers these points of advice:
Install the latest antivirus software and keep it updated. ASU offers Network Associates' Viruscan (McAfee) free to ASU students, faculty and staff. They also offer the free updates. The main antivirus Web site is http://asu.edu/antivirus.
Join the anti-virus mailing list so that you will be aware of problems and updates at http://www.asu.edu/it/fyi/announce/antivirus.html.
Consider running software like AdAware and/or Spybot to clean spyware and adware from your machine.
If you need assistance, call ASU helpdesk at (480) 965-6500 or e-mail helpdesk@asu.edu.
If you're still locked up in the Stone Age and have a dial-up connection at home, you can buy the latest Antivirus software CD from the Helpdesk for $1.
Come on, now. It doesn't get much better than that. If you're one of the few who actually gets your buck back from the Arizona Students Association, this just might be the perfect investment for it.
Most importantly, according to ZDNet, when the worm is active, Netsky.d copies itself to the Windows subdirectory under the name WinLogon.exe and is 17,424 bytes in size.
Write that down, kids. It just might save you and your computer a lot of grief.
John Ronquillo is a journalism senior. Reach him (without loading his inbox with viruses) at johnron@asu.edu.
