Viruses and worms are two distinct types of malware, but both can spread rapidly. All staff and students have an obligation to ensure that any device used to access University systems is fully protected against penetration by viruses or worms.
Please remember nobody from the University will ever ask you for your password and you should never give it out to anybody.
How can I tell if I might have a virus problem?
How can I keep viruses off my PC?
- Install AntiVirus software
- Keep your device operating systems (OS) up to date
- Beware email attachments
- Safe use of USB sticks
- I think I’m infected - what do I do?
How can I tell if I might have a virus problem
- Do you have antivirus software installed?
- Has the antivirus software been updated in the last five days?
- Do you regularly visit the Microsoft Windows Update site (or have your PC configured to update automatically)?
- Does your PC feel like it is running at normal speed?
- Can you connect to the internet without problem?
- Can you use copy and paste and drag and drop without problem?
- Do all your programs start up properly?
If the answer to any of these questions is No or “I don’t know” then you probably have a problem and you need to take immediate steps to rectify it.
Is it a serious problem? Yes, it is:
- The contents of your PC can be vulnerable to deletion or corruption.
- Your PC is vulnerable to being taken over and used or controlled by others.
- You are vulnerable to having your personal and bank information taken or compromised
- You are liable to spread viruses and worms to colleagues, friends, and family.
- You are contributing to network overload around the world.
- You will be disconnected from the UH network if an infection is traced to your PC.
How can I keep viruses off my PC
1.Install AntiVirus software
AntiVirus software is cheap and usually comes with 12 months of free updates. It can usually be purchased online and downloaded immediately.
- AVG – http://free.avg.com/ (Free version of AVG for Mac & PC)
- F-Secure – http://www.f-secure.com/
- Mcafee – http://www.mcafee.com/
- Sophos – http://www.sophos.com (Free antivirus for Mac)
There are other manufacturers of antivirus software (some of it free) or alternatively, visit your computer supplier for advice.
Once you have your antivirus software it is important to keep it up to date so that it can detect and deal with new viruses.
- Some packages will automatically check back to their parent website every few hours (while the PC is running) to look for updates.
- Others need to be manually set to collect updates and some need you to manually download updates and install them.
- If your virus checker needs a manual process to get its updates, you should ensure that you check for updates daily.
Further information on anti-virus software can be found on the internet.
- The following link is a good review of the issues and has evaluations/links to various free antivirus and firewall software: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software
2. Keep your device operating system (OS) up to date
Why does it matter
Software providers will eventually stop providing support and updates for their applications on your device. This will impact performance, but will eventually weaken the security of your device.
As new threats are emerging all the time, older versions of device operating systems (OS) become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
- Software providers typically do not provide security updates for devices on outdated OS.
- To ensure the overall security of the device is not compromised, it is important to update the OS regularly.
You may not always want to update to the latest OS or software version as new versions sometimes come with a few ‘glitches’ that need to be ironed out through further updates. They may demand more storage space or battery life. You should however perform the upgrade as soon as it is safe to do so - do some research first and see what is right for you.
Applying operating system and software updates, as well as using and updating your anti-virus software, is important for cyber security.
Check what operating system (OS) version you have:
- Mac: From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You should see the macOS name, such as macOS Mojave, followed by its version number. If you need to know the build number as well, click the version number to see it.
- Windows PC: see this Microsoft guide
- iPhone: You can check which version of iOS you have on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch via the Settings app. Navigate to Settings > General > About. You'll see the version number to the right of the “Version” entry on the About page
- Android phone: go to ‘settings’ and then ‘about phone’
Windows 10 and 11
- Windows 10 and 11 updates will install automatically, but you can choose a convenient time for your device to restart and complete the update.
- See: Microsoft > Windows support > keep your PC up to date.
- For more information on Windows OS versions please see the Microsoft Windows support pages.
- If you are not using the automatic updating mechanism or are not sure that it is working, visit the Microsoft Windows Update site at http://www.windowsupdate.com/ to check for new updates. You should do this at least once a week.
- Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- How to upgrade your macOS
- Check and update your Android version
- Update your Windows PC
What do I need to know if I am using an older operating system on my device(s)
Windows 7 or 8.0, or 8.1 user?
- Windows 7, 8.0, and 8.1 are no longer supported by Microsoft and do not meet minimum security standards putting your device and data at risk.
- Unsupported operating systems are blocked from connecting to the University network.
- For more information on Windows OS versions please see the Microsoft Windows support pages.
- To find out which operating system you have please check this Microsoft Guide.
macOS user?
- Find out what your macOS is and find out if your macOS is still supported.
- Your device will be more vulnerable if you use an unsupported OS version.
Are you having difficulties connecting your Apple device to eduroam Wi-Fi on campus?
- Older macOS devices running Sierra 10.12, and El Capitan 10.11 may have issues with the connection to eduroam.
- We recommend you upgrade your macOS to the latest OS. Currently, you will need 10.14 or later to connect to eduroam while on campus.
The broadband router in your home.
Home broadband routers need essential software updates and strong passwords to keep them secure.
- Make sure your broadband router device is up to date and supported by your internet service provider.
- Outdated routers can leave you vulnerable to cybercriminals putting your device and data at risk.
- If you don't know how to keep your router up to date or you have an older version of a router please check with your broadband or router provider.
- Make sure you (or someone in your household) have changed the default /pre-set admin password on your router device. This is the password that protects the router’s settings and configuration. Many come with generic passwords such as 'admin' that are easily available via Google search. If you are unsure it is worth checking with your Internet Service Provider.
3.Beware email attachments!
Many (although not all) viruses spread through email. The key piece of advice is never to open an email attachment unless you know what it is.
Even though the email may appear to come from someone you know, do not open it, be suspicious.
If you are at all unsure, delete the attachment immediately. Even if you are sure, use your antivirus software to check the attachment before opening it. See Fraudulent emails, spam, and phishing attacks.
Never provide a username and password in any email.
4. Safe use of USB sticks
USB sticks can be the cause of serious breaches of information security and/or viruses.
Consider using your OneDrive which you can access anytime, anywhere. Find out more: Save your work: file management and storage
If you use a USB stick
- It should not contain any confidential data or information unless it is encrypted.
- It should not be your only copy of your files.
Serious hackers may leave USB sticks where they will be found, and even label them with things like “Johnnie’s 5th birthday photos” to appeal to our better nature to have a look and try to return it to its rightful owner.
- Cybercriminals will try to use USB sticks to access confidential information on computers.
- There are documented instances of serious breaches of security in organisations caused by people putting a found USB stick onto their computer.
- Viruses are now circulating that can infect your computer without you even knowing or opening any files.
If you find a USB stick, DO NOT plug it into your computer.
If you lose a USB stick
- Please contact the Helpdesk who will check if one has been handed in: +44 (0)1707 284678 or ext 4678 helpdesk@herts.ac.uk
- Describe the make/model/colour and approximate date and location when it was lost.
5. I think I’m infected; what do I do
- Disinfecting a PC can be a complicated process that requires knowledge of viruses and worms and an understanding of Windows' internal processes.
- If you suspect your PC is infected, do not try to install an anti-virus program until you have taken steps to clean off the viruses. Some viruses prevent anti-virus software from being installed or can hide from the software if they are active.
- If your PC has an old version of an antivirus product installed, uninstall it and restart your PC before attempting to install a new version.