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December 2002 Newsletter:
Infectors

You probably heard this many, many times but the reality is that most home computer users (and corporate users) do not install security updates and patches as they are released for the operating system and each installed program (whether they are used or not). Nor do they update their anti-virus software on a regular basis and use it as a preventative measure in addition to a diagnostic aid and removal method. The spread of infectors (locally and worldwide) depends on EACH computer user maintaining their computer system in the best of condition.

Computer infectors are really not different than the flu. When we have the flu, we perform less efficiently, need more time to complete tasks (sometimes we are temporarily out of commission) and try to find the correct remedy to get it out of our system. The people we come in contact with are susceptible. They may or may not get sick. Then those persons go about their daily lives and each person they come in contact with may or may not get sick.

The writers of infectors depend on each computer user, whether you are a home computer user or the security administrator of a corporate network, not to have the latest security patches installed and not to be using anti-virus software on a regular basis to alert you to new possible infectors. If each computer user ran the email attachment through their anti-virus software before opening and had the latest security patches installed for their operating system and the installed programs, the devastating effects (website and email servers shutting down because they can not handle the sudden over abundance of traffic, individual and corporate computer data suddenly gone or the computer(s) unusable without a major expense) would be reduced dramatically.

Of course opening email attachments (even from someone you know) are not the only way for infectors to circulate. Remember to set your email program where pictures and attachments are not automatically displayed. Sometimes all you have to do is display the email letter so you can read it and infection begins. These are typically script infectors. Sometimes The P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network programs, typically that teenagers use to share music and videos, can be used as an instrument to spread infection. When a P2P program is installed on a computer and the user is online, this allows strangers (other P2P users) to copy files from and to your computer. Who is to say that every person in the world using the P2P file sharing capabilities is as honorable as you? Sometimes an infector can quietly send your personal (including credit) information to a stranger or track everywhere you go online or what you do with your computer offline. One lone computer (perhaps given as a holiday gift) connected to the internet can be the carrier of an infector. If this was the only computer infected and every other computer that came in contact was protected, there would be no worldwide spreading of computer infectors like the Melissa, Loveletter or Code Red infectors that generated so much publicity and economic loss.

You can refer to the list of email subjects and texts, and of course attachments, as a quick reference if someone you know sent you an attachment. But, the best way to identify an infector is to run your anti-virus software. You can then refer to the lists of infectors by year for detailed information and remedies and the monthly calendar to check when infectors will begin their mischief if they are installed on your computer.

Keeping your computer free of infectors does help protect your country's infrastructure and your neighborhood.