Information Technology

Church House receives a large number of virus-infected emails every day. Fortunately our AntiVirus software is blocking and deleting the infected emails. Unfortunately these virus-infected emails also indicate that many Church and home computers are being affected by viruses such as the "NETSKY", "BAGLE" and "MYDOOM" viruses.

Alerts and Unknown Sites

When using Windows PC and Server software, it's also important make sure that you install the latest software patches or Windows Critical Updates (windowsupdate.microsoft.com*) to protect your network and computer from network-based viruses such as the MSBlast virus. The latest breed of network-based viruses don't use email for propagating. For more information about how to better protect yourself, please see Security and Firewall Tips.

Please visit one of the AntiVirus sites below to verify that your AntiVirus software is still supported and is up to date. When you consider the cost of the computer downtime, the potential loss of important files or accidental release of private information -- it is very important to have a current version of AntiVirus software that is updated and checked on a regular basis.

These sites also provide information and help on the latest Virus Alerts and the removal of computer viruses. The Trend Micro site provides a free on-line scanning utility to double check your PC when you are worried that your virus protection may have failed or is not working. The free on-line scanning tool is just that -- it is not meant to replace antivirus software installed on your PC. While this tool will work with a dial-up connection, the initial software download is very large and therefore works best with high-speed internet service.

• Trend Micro: www.trendmicro.com*
  (Free on-line scanning tool: http://housecall.trendmicro.com*)
• Norton: www.symantec.com*
• McAffee: www.mcafee-at-home.com*

Hoaxes, Scams and Fraudulent E-mails

Watch out for hoax emails that are in circulation. Always question emails that use phrases like "send this to everyone you know" or "this is the worst virus ever". Variations of these phrases are commonly used in hoax emails. Another type of hoax may instruct you delete a system file that may have an odd-looking icon.

You can use either of the links below to see if a questionable email is hoax or not.

• Trend Micro: www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoax.asp*
• McAffee: http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp*

It is equally important to watch out for fraudulent email or email-scams. Church email addresses posted on websites are common targets for scams -- particularly if the email addresses have been harvested by a "web-bot" for junk mail. Church email addresses are a target of fraudulent emails that will ask for urgent financial assistance and donations. Fraudulent emails, such as the one that resembles an official looking email from Sympatico, may also ask for personal or sensitive information that can be used for other fraudulent activities including identity theft.

There is a helpful RCMP website resource page that lists information and advice on scams and fraudulent internet activities. The link is www.rcmp.ca/scams/scams_e.htm*

Tips on how to avoid computer viruses:

Update your anti-virus software regularly. Hundreds of viruses are discovered each month, so up-to-date anti-virus software is very important. This can involve updating the signature pattern files as well as updating the software or "scan-engine."

Don't open email file-attachments from an unknown or suspicious source. With the latest type of viruses such as the "NETSKY" and "BAGLE" viruses that can substitute the "from" or "reply-to" information, it is very important to avoid opening attachments with executable filename extensions such as .EXE, .COM, .SCR, .PIF, .BAT, .VBS, .LNK, .ZIP, .CPL, etc. Even if the email appears to come from someone you know, some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email using file names and email-addresses that have been copied from other emails or recently accessed documents.

Watch out for emails that may look like they are from a reliable source such as Microsoft -- particularly when the email instructs you to either delete a system file, or to install a "patch", "fix", or "security update" that is attached to the email. Microsoft never emails patches or fixes for Microsoft software. Always update your Microsoft software using the Windows Update icon.

Don't download any files from websites unless you know that the website is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all, or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.

Back up your important files. If you haven't got a backup and a computer-virus erases or corrupts important files on your computer's hard drive -- you risk losing all of your important files, pictures, and databases.

Visit sites that can help you to keep your system software up-to-date (eg. download and install the critical updates for your operating system, web browser, and email). Two examples of these sites include windowsupdate.microsoft.com* or Microsoft's security site located at www.microsoft.com/security.*