Information Technology Services takes the threat of computer viruses seriously. Every lab, staff and faculty computer on campus has anti-virus software installed. Windows machines have McAfee VirusScan and Macintosh machines have Virex by Network Associates.

Virus Alerts

From time to time you may receive “virus alert” email messages warning of dangerous new viruses. A mesage received in this manner is most likely a "virus hoax".

ITS urges all users not to forward any such message without verifying if the supposed virus threat is real.  McAfee maintains a comprehensive listing of virus hoaxes. You can easily check and determine if a virus is real or a hoax.

If you believe a virus alert to be genuine, please contact ITS for further information and assistance.

About Virus Hoaxes

Virus hoaxes are more than a mere annoyance. They can actually compromise the effectiveness of anti-virus software. If users are repeatedly alarmed over virus hoaxes, they may become desensitized to virus warnings, causing them to ignore or discount a genuine virus warning, thereby leaving themselves vulnerable to a destructive virus.