From: "bigchalk.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wed, 01 May 2002 09:15:15 EDT Subject: Tech Tips | Viruses: How to Protect Your PC
Do you read your email with Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express? Sign up for Tech Tips in Web page (HTML) format by replying to this message and typing in the body: SUBSCRIBE WITH HTML bigchalk's Tech Tips Newsletter May 2002 Issue http://www.bigchalk.com Welcome to this month's installment of Tech Tips, sponsored by Start Something. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/targetstart02/&Userid; Technology changes every day. Let bigchalk help you do your homework to stay current! Every month bigchalk plugs you into the tech tools teachers are talking about, and more. Includes hands-on information to help you make the most of technology in your curriculum. *******************ADVERTISEMENT******************** Start Something is a program designed to help kids from 8-17 discover their dreams and interests, and take steps toward achieving them. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/targetstart02/&Userid; **************************************************** ++ TECH TIP: Viruses: How to Protect Your PC ++ Do recent news headlines like these leave you with a sinking feeling? "Destructive Melissa and ILOVEYOU Computer Viruses Strike Worldwide" "Sax-Playing Bill Clinton MyLife.B Could Delete Your Files" "Pentagon Hit by New Computer Virus" "Viruses Anew Pop Up Post-Y2K" Whether you own a computer or use one at school, viruses pose an ever-present threat to the stability of your system and the integrity of your data. While this threat should cause you concern, the good news is that protecting your PC and its files is much easier than you think. This month, bigchalk introduces you to the world of computer viruses and shows you how to keep your Internet-connected system germ-free. 1. Computer Virus Basics A computer virus is a small program that can replicate itself. Just like real-world viruses that invade our bodies and make millions of copies of themselves to make us ill, these high-tech counterparts enter a computer riding on an infected file and begin to create copies of themselves inside every file they touch. Over time, this results in crashes, strange errors, missing or deleted files and even complete system failure. Every virus is different, with some targeting your PC's system files to cause crashes, others overwrite your hard drive or hijack your email address book to send copies of themselves to others. In reality, there are several types of malicious programs that can infect your PC, including Trojan horses, worms, and both program and email viruses. Many times, the media refers to all of these programs simply as viruses. At last count, there are more than 30,000 known programs, scripts and other files that have the ability to cripple PCs running Windows and the Mac OS, and more than a dozen new strains are found daily. 2. Avenues of Infection Although the Internet has broken down the walls of our homes and classrooms and links us to millions of our fellow computer users worldwide, this global interconnectivity has also left us vulnerable to electronic infection. Most of us get viruses through email. It's important to understand that you can't get infected simply by reading an email message. The infection occurs when you open a tainted file that's *attached* to an email message. One way to prevent infections is not to open these attachments (most have .exe or .vbs at the end of their filenames) and get into the habit of immediately deleting any email containing an attachment that you weren't expecting to receive. Even if the message is from someone you know, be careful. As we mentioned above, a virus may use another user's address book to send out new messages with its destructive software attached. A word of caution: From time to time, you may receive warnings about new viruses via email. Many of these warnings are hoaxes. Don't help pranksters spread these false warnings by sending them to colleagues, family members or friends. To verify their authenticity, read up on the latest Internet hoaxes at these sites: http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05021 http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05022 http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05023 Your PC can also be infected when you download a program from the Internet. Thousands of reputable software makers allow you to download their titles, but hackers have been known to infect downloadable programs with viruses. Finally, viruses can infect your system via diskettes and other removable media like CD ROMs and Zip or Jazz disks. All it takes is a single infected diskette inserted into your PC to transfer a destructive agent. How can you tell if your computer is infected? Fire up Internet Explorer 3.0 or later and connect to TrendMicro's HouseCall virus scanner. This free Web-based tool will scan your hard drives and floppy disks or other removable media for suspicious files and allow you to delete infected items before they become a problem. HouseCall Virus Scanner http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05024 ******************ADVERTISEMENT******************* Click here for a chance to win a K'NEX Education Classroom Set! K'NEX Education Classroom Sets are hands-on teaching tools that bring real-world science and technology concepts into your classroom -- and engage your students like never before. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/knex8022/&Userid; ************************************************** 3. Inoculating Your PC Now that you know how viruses function and how they move from computer to computer, what can you do to prevent infection today and over the long term? The answer is easy: Invest in antivirus software. If you have a single computer, consider purchasing an individual copy of Norton Antivirus 2002 or MacAfee VirusScan. MacAfee now offers a less-expensive Web-based virus protection tool called VirusScanOnline. All three solutions are used by millions of Mac and Windows users worldwide to keep their systems free of infection. Norton Antivirus 2002 http://www.norton.com MacAfee VirusScan + VirusScanOnline http://www.mcafee.com If your PC is on a school network, check with your technology coordinator to see what antivirus countermeasures are already in place or are approved for your machine. If you're in charge of your school's technology, consider choosing one antivirus solution and installing it on your network or on each PC, and train your staff in its operation. Owning this software isn't enough. You should scan your system once a week and be sure to update your virus definitions every few days. All the tools mentioned above have automatic-update technology built in, so staying up-to-date is a breeze. Plus, be sure to activate the software's email scanning functions so every incoming email is checked for viruses before it lands in your emailbox. Be sure to use the software to scan your diskettes or other removable media before inserting them into other computers. This will help lessen the chances of spreading a virus to other machines. Plus, be sure to back up your critical documents and other files often. Saving them to a network folder or burning them onto a CD are the best methods for protecting your files. 4. Stay Current To learn more about computer viruses and how to keep your PC germ-free, connect to these related Web sites. Antivirus Software Vendors http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05025 How Computer Viruses Work http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05026 Newly Discovered Viruses http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05027 How to Protect Against Computer Viruses http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05028 Antivirus Tips for Media Specialists http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-05029 CERT: Internet Security Briefs http://i.bigchalk.com/U/TT-050210 *****************ADVERTISEMENT******************* Visit VeryBestKids.com and enter for a chance to WIN a Game Boy Advance video-game system. Six will be given away! VeryBestKids.com, creative ideas and fun activities for you and your kids. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/vbk02/&Userid; ************************************************** TECH PRODUCT BUZZ If teachers, parents or students are raving about a new product, we hear about it. Our 'reviews' don't come from a testing lab; instead, they are derived from actual feedback and the real-world experiences of classroom users. Has a tech product made a huge impact on your teaching or learning? Tell us about it! Send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ++ REVIEW: Adobe GoLive/LiveMotion Education Pack ++ Price: $89 (Education Version) Publisher: Adobe Systems Info: http://www.adobe.com/education/ed_products/gl6_lm2.html Looking for a complete package that delivers the tools you need to build and manage dynamic Web sites? The Education version of the Adobe GoLive/LiveMotion Pack includes two powerful products and a bonus Possibilities CD packed with tutorials and tools to help you learn the products and build your own school or classroom Web site. GoLive is the core product for Web site design and production projects, and LiveMotion delivers the tools you need to create interactive content in several formats including Macromedia Flash (SWF) and QuickTime. Learn more about GoLive, LiveMotion and the wealth of Adobe resources for educators at: http://www.adobe.com/education ++ REVIEW: SurfControl Email Filter ++ Price: $3983 for 250 user license* *Discounts apply for larger license counts. Publisher: SurfControl Info: http://www.surfcontrol.com/go/bigchalkST With more schools opening up email access as a means of communication, there's an increased risks of viruses being spread through email attachments, and disclosure of confidential information such as student's grades, or a report from a guidance consular. Schools are also being held accountable for the misuse of their email system such as inappropriate messages being sent using their email system. SurfControl Email Filter addresses these types of network and information security concerns. With SurfControl email filter, rules can be set up to scan for and prevent email attachments that contain viruses from entering your network. Outbound emails containing potentially confidential information can be blocked altogether or set aside until a designated administrator has had an opportunity to review the message. The email filter automatically adds disclaimer footers to messages helping to reduce liability. And it also helps schools improve network performance with the ability to schedule all non-essential email to be transmitted after school hours, ensuring priority is given to critical email messages during the school day. SurfControl Email Filter is available for SMTP and for MS Exchange 5.5. ++ REVIEW: CatchUp ++ Price: FREE Publisher: CNET Info: http://catchup.cnet.com Are you running the newest version of your antivirus program? >From software updates to security fixes, CatchUp automatically finds what you need to keep your Windows PC current. This free service automatically scans your PC for software applications, system files, and drivers, and provides you with a customized list of available updates. The security fixes feature identifies known vulnerabilities in your software applications and operating system and provides you with all the information required to patch the security holes. Plus, the built-in Adware Detect automatically searches your PC for adware, "spyware," and other third-party components that may have been surreptitiously installed on your PC. Get your free copy today, and keep your system 100 percent up-to-date! *****************ADVERTISEMENT******************* Professional Educators! Pursue your personal and professional goals, without interrupting your career! Argosy University offers a flexible schedule, with online courses to help you further your education and career opportunities. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/argosyu02/&Userid; ************************************************* ++ BIGCHALK TECH LINKS ++ Let bigchalk help you integrate technology into your classroom. Take an online course, read a hands-on tutorial to help you make better use of your PC, connect to the latest tech news, and even find online projects to integrate into your curriculum. It's bigchalk to the rescue! bigchalk Web Site of the Month On May 27, Americans will observe their first post-September 11 Memorial Day. This award-winning site is home to a growing collection of patriotic songs, poems, related Web links and special learning activites for kids, all designed to help visitors better appreciate the sacrifice fighting men and women made for their country. This special day has also been set aside to honor the memories of families who have lost loved ones, including those who perished in last year's terrorist attacks. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/may02site/&Userid; bigchalk Portal Web Site Our Web site is home to four special pages -- WebExplore, TechKNOWlogy, Connect and Daily Bulletin. Each contains links to our most popular features, from fresh news scoops and a calendar of seasonal activities and timely observances to our widely acclaimed virtual field trips and online expeditions created in collaboration with leading research and cultural institutions. http://www.bigchalk.com/main/Teachers.html Search Box Want an easy easy to give teachers, parents and students instant access to the Internet's largest, most up-to-date directory of educator- approved sites? Add a free bigchalk search box to your Web pages. Users can search our collection by keyword and filter their query by grade level. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/bcsearchbx/&Userid; Technology Tutorials Don't let technology get you down! Build your tech skills. Learn more about your Mac or Windows PC, master the latest software and more. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/techtutstt/&Userid; Internet Projects Don't miss out -- new online projects are accepting participants this month. Integrate technology into your daily lessons. Get started here: http://i.bigchalk.com/U/netprojectstt/&Userid; bigchalk Poll You and your students can vote now and instantly compare your choices with your peers in schools across the country. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/wpolltt/&Userid; ****************ADVERTISEMENT****************** bigchalk Home Library: A library of the world's best publications on your desktop. http://i.bigchalk.com/U/bchomelib02 ********************************************** Thank you for reading bigchalk's Tech Tips Newsletter. Be sure to preview each link and try any included projects or experiments before using them with your students. All Web sites included in this publication are subject to the bigchalk Linking Policy. http://www.bigchalk.com/corp/linkpolicy.html We offer several newsletters of interest to students, parents, teachers and Web surfers. 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