Facebook virus infects campus

Posted by Staff at 3:19 PM . Monday, March 8, 2010
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In the past few days a computer virus has been making its rounds on the social networking site Facebook.

The virus, named "Koobface," works much like an email attachment virus. It spreads through links contained in a person's Facebook "wall" or on their profile page. Once the virus infects one computer it sends the malicious links to everyone on that person's friends list. The virus can be avoided by not accessing the mischievous links.

"This is a very different virus we're dealing with; it doesn't work like a computer worm," said Archie Sprengal, Southeast's Assistant V.P. of Information Technology, "It tries to make you comfortable by posting using a friend's account."

According to a press release by Information Technology, "[t]his virus should be taken seriously since it attempts to steal credit card numbers and other personal information such as passwords."

According to Sprengal, so far only 30 people have called in to Information Technology to report that they have received the virus, but there may be many more in the next couple weeks.

Information Technology has suggested that everyone update to the newest version of his or her anti-virus software to counteract the virus. Information Technology reports that the latest version of McAfee VirusScan "detected and removed" the virus. In addition, Sprengal said that the virus is only affecting Windows-based computers and isn't corrupting Macs.

Sprengal also reassured that there are not current university plans to block any website, including Facebook because of the virus.

If you are experiencing problems with your computer as of late, such as the problems mentioned above, The Arrow has listed some steps to follow on page # to try and correct the problem. However, if one is still experiencing problems, contact the Information Technology Help Desk at (573) 651-4357, or email HelpDesk@semo.edu for assistance.

Here are the steps one needs to take to correct the problem: (Put these in a box on a page; be sure to change the # in the story to the page number the list goes on.)

To make sure your copy of McAfee VirusScan is up to date, follow these steps:

Right click on the McAfee VirsusScan System Tray icon located in the lower right corner of your screen.

Click on "Update Now."

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