IT Services Help Desk
What are hoax viruses?
7
Anti Virus & Kaspersky
What precautions should I take against getting a virus?
If you receive a suspicious email containing an attachment, be cautious even if it comes
from someone whom you know. The safest option is to delete the message immediately, or
save the attachment from the email and check it using Kaspersky Endpoint Security on an
ITS computer, or your own antivirus software if on your own computer.
WARNING: NEVER open an unexpected attachment without scanning it first.
You should also check USB pen drives before opening files, especially if they have been
used outside of the university on a PC attached to the internet.
To safeguard your work against potential virus damage, backup your files at regular
intervals onto a writable CD (for information about CD writing, see Leaflet 11).
Files stored on the H: drive of workarea computers are backed up each night.
What antiviral software is available on the Windows 7 workstations?
Hoax viruses are email messages containing information about non-existent virus threats. If
you receive one of these messages, read it carefully. If it tells you to warn everyone you
know, it's almost certainly either a hoax or out of date. It’s best to delete these emails as
soon as they are received. Don’t forward it to anyone.
If you receive an email with a short subject line, no body text or just a web link or an
attachment, even if it comes from someone you know (unless they have made you
aware they are sending it), delete it as it may contain a virus.
How will I know if it is a hoax?
A hoax would often contain the following indicators within the email:



Message gives an impression of high urgency and desperation (e.g. use of capital
letters, excessive exclamation marks etc.).
It tells you to forward the message to as many people as possible.
Provides details on how to remove the threat, often referring to specific system
files that exist on your computer.
The antiviral software available on the Windows 7 workstations is Kaspersky Endpoint
Security. This is updated regularly and can be used to check your H: drive, CD-Roms and
USB pen drives.
Antivirus for personal laptops / computers – Windows & Macs
How do I use Kaspersky Antivirus on a workstation?
To download AVG Free Edition for Windows or Avast for Macs, go to the web page
http://go.warwick.ac.uk/software/antivirus/
1. To check an individual file, click the Windows
Start button browse then click Computer. Right
click on the file and choose Scan for viruses
from the menu that appears. The file will be
scanned, any viruses present will be reported.
What is adware, spyware or malware?
If you see popup messages when browsing the internet, or your computer has suddenly
become slow, you may have adware, spyware or malware which has not been detected by
your antivirus software. This may have been downloaded when browsing websites.
Adware may appear as advertising slogans or popup messages. Spyware or malware is a
type of program that may have been installed when you download freeware, and may
collect information about your browsing habits.
What to do if you have spyware or malware on personal laptops?
2. To check a whole drive e.g.
a usb stick, as above, browse
to the drive in Computer, then
right click on the usb drive
letter and choose Scan for
viruses.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/its/servicessupport/computers/systemsupport/
Please contact IT Services on 024 765 73737 or visit the ITS drop in
centre on the 1st floor of the Library and we can arrange an appointment
at the Service Point to have your laptop checked and cleaned.
Occasionally, some viruses cannot be removed. If you need assistance, please visit the IT
Services Drop in Centre in the Library 1st floor or phone the Help Desk on 024 765 73737.
IT Services Help Desk | [email protected] | warwick.ac.uk/its
Continued overleaf →
08/08/2016 12:30:00
IT Services Help Desk
What are hoax viruses?
7
Anti Virus & Kaspersky
What precautions should I take against getting a virus?
If you receive a suspicious email containing an attachment, be cautious even if it comes
from someone whom you know. The safest option is to delete the message immediately, or
save the attachment from the email and check it using Kaspersky Endpoint Security on an
ITS computer, or your own antivirus software if on your own computer.
WARNING: NEVER open an unexpected attachment without scanning it first.
You should also check USB pen drives before opening files, especially if they have been
used outside of the university on a PC attached to the internet.
To safeguard your work against potential virus damage, backup your files at regular
intervals onto a writable CD (for information about CD writing, see Leaflet 11).
Files stored on the H: drive of workarea computers are backed up each night.
What antiviral software is available on the Windows 7 workstations?
Hoax viruses are email messages containing information about non-existent virus threats. If
you receive one of these messages, read it carefully. If it tells you to warn everyone you
know, it's almost certainly either a hoax or out of date. It’s best to delete these emails as
soon as they are received. Don’t forward it to anyone.
If you receive an email with a short subject line, no body text or just a web link or an
attachment, even if it comes from someone you know (unless they have made you
aware they are sending it), delete it as it may contain a virus.
How will I know if it is a hoax?
A hoax would often contain the following indicators within the email:



Message gives an impression of high urgency and desperation (e.g. use of capital
letters, excessive exclamation marks etc.).
It tells you to forward the message to as many people as possible.
Provides details on how to remove the threat, often referring to specific system
files that exist on your computer.
The antiviral software available on the Windows 7 workstations is Kaspersky Endpoint
Security. This is updated regularly and can be used to check your H: drive, CD-Roms and
USB pen drives.
Antivirus for personal laptops / computers – Windows & Macs
How do I use Kaspersky Antivirus on a workstation?
To download AVG Free Edition for Windows or Avast for Macs, go to the web page
http://go.warwick.ac.uk/software/antivirus/
1. To check an individual file, click the Windows
Start button browse then click Computer. Right
click on the file and choose Scan for viruses
from the menu that appears. The file will be
scanned, any viruses present will be reported.
What is adware, spyware or malware?
If you see popup messages when browsing the internet, or your computer has suddenly
become slow, you may have adware, spyware or malware which has not been detected by
your antivirus software. This may have been downloaded when browsing websites.
Adware may appear as advertising slogans or popup messages. Spyware or malware is a
type of program that may have been installed when you download freeware, and may
collect information about your browsing habits.
What to do if you have spyware or malware on personal laptops?
2. To check a whole drive e.g.
a usb stick, as above, browse
to the drive in Computer, then
right click on the usb drive
letter and choose Scan for
viruses.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/its/servicessupport/computers/systemsupport/
Please contact IT Services on 024 765 73737 or visit the ITS drop in
centre on the 1st floor of the Library and we can arrange an appointment
at the Service Point to have your laptop checked and cleaned.
Occasionally, some viruses cannot be removed. If you need assistance, please visit the IT
Services Drop in Centre in the Library 1st floor or phone the Help Desk on 024 765 73737.
IT Services Help Desk | [email protected] | warwick.ac.uk/its
Continued overleaf →
08/08/2016 12:30:00