Support News

Security Alert for UW faculty, staff and students

Posted: 2003-08-24 13:57:59   Expiration: 2003-09-18 18:00:00

Disclaimer: This news item was originally posted on 2003-08-24 13:57:59. Its content may no longer be timely or accurate.

The campus is experiencing severe problems with the SoBig, Blaster and Nachi viruses, as well as a worm that takes advantage of unpatched Microsoft operating systems. There are two things you need to do IMMEDIATELY to safeguard your personal computer at the UW...

The campus is experiencing severe problems with the SoBig, Blaster and Nachi viruses, as well as a worm that takes advantage of unpatched Microsoft operating systems. There are two things you need to do IMMEDIATELY to safeguard your personal computer at the UW:

  1. If you own a computer that runs Windows 2000, XP or NT, you need to download and install Microsoft patches on a patched, uninfected machine. These patches can be downloaded via the DoIT electronic shelf at http://shelf.doit.wisc.edu/pc/security/RPC-Fix/RPC-Fix.exe or you can come to the DoIT Walk-in-Help Desk with a blank cd for the patch.
  2. Install Norton Anti-Virus on your computer. If you do not do this, and we find that your computer is propogating viruses on campus, we will disconnect your computer from the campus network. You can get a free copy of Norton Anti-Virus in the DoIT Tech Store (1210 W. Dayton St.). It is also available on the latest WiscWorld CD, or via network download from: http://techstore.doit.wisc.edu/showroom/infopages/pers/virus.html

    You need to install and update Norton Anti-Virus in order to address the lates virus, SoBig. You need to do this right away.

If you are faculty or staff and you have a department IT support person, please contact that person before taking any of these steps.

If your computer is not infected, and you have the Windows firewall enabled, the Microsoft patches are needed to keep your computer from being infected with the Blaster, MSBlast or Lovesan worms can be downloaded here: http://helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu/page.php?txt=&id=2121 If your Windows system has already been infected, contact the DoIT Help Desk at 608-264-HELP for assistance.

Again, install Norton Anti-Virus NOW. If your computer does not filter the latest viruses, it will be disconnected from the campus network.

-- DoIT Help Desk