Spam and other Annoyances
Spam :: Virus :: Worm :: Spyware :: Pop-ups
Spam
Spam is the term for unwanted email. As the web matures, more and more direct marketing companies are using spam to send you "junk mail." Student who mass E-Mail their fellow students with unwanted diatribes and other information are considered spammers and will face repercussions if they do not stop such behavior. Read our Repsonsible Use information for more details.
ScanMail Spam Protection
IT Services provides ScanMail antivirus software on the email server. Scanmail is a software that searches all incoming mail for viruses and detaches them before they get to your computer.
ScanMail prevents the spread of viruses by scanning each email message for infected file attachments before delivering it to the recipient. When a message with an infected file attachment is detected, ScanMail will either clean, delete or replace the attachment before delivery. In either case, ScanMail sends a notification to whomever sent the virus. Please be aware that if you send a virus infected message, you will be notified automatically and asked to scan your hard drive for viruses.
ScanMail updates its virus pattern files multiple times per day. However as new viruses surface, there exists the possibility of receiving a virus before Scanmail has had a chance to update. Please be aware you should also maintain the anti-virus software on your computer. Remember to keep copies current on home machines as well.
Enable Spam Protection on your Web-Mail
Maintain the Spam protection needs to be enabled if you have not done so. Follow the steps below to enable your Spam protection.
- Open your Webmail and go to Tools/Mail Rules
- Your browser will open to a new window where you will see the Spam rule.
- Enable it by double-clicking
Virus
A Virus is a malicious computer program that deliberately causes damage to the user's files on his/her computer by replicating itself on the user's computer system. A virus incorporates itself into other programs that are then shared among computer systems without the users knowledge.
IT recommendation: McAfee anti-virus
How to obtain: Go to McAfee website and download. Note that many new computers come with antivirus software installed.
Web information: McAfee.com
Worm
A worm is a program that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources and possibly shutting the system down.
IT recommendation: McAfee anti-virus and/or Microsoft Windows patches.
How to obtain: Go to McAfee website and download. Note that many new computers come with antivirus software installed.
Web information: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
Spyware
Spyware is a technology that assists in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet, "spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties." As such, spyware is cause for public concern about privacy on the Internet. If a computer is infected with too much spyware it can slow the computer to the point where it will not function.
IT recommendation: Spybot
How to obtain: HKS Students Download Page
Web information: http://www.pestpatrol.com/pestinfo/
Pop-Ups
What are Pop-ups? An advertisement that “pops up” on your screen. These are often obtained and/or pushed through by “spyware.” If you have a pop-up installed you will note that some websites require that pop-ups are allowed. To override pop-up blockers hold the 'Control' key when you click a hyperlink. This will allow a pop up to open.
IT recommendation: Google has a free pop up filter
How to obtain: Most new computers will have it installed as part of MS Windows or see your FSA. Or you can download the Google filter at http://toolbar.google.com/
Web information: http://toolbar.google.com/popup_help.html
