Marine Biological Laboratory

Information Technology

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What are computer viruses and worms?

Viruses:

A virus is a small bit of programming code that attaches itself to programs on a computer. Each time the program is executed, the virus is also executed. Some viruses are only an annoyance and cause no damage to the software and files on the infected computer, other viruses cause extensive damage.

E-mail Viruses:

An e-mail virus spreads via email messages. An email virus usually reproduces by automatically mailing itself to email addresses in the address book on the infected computer.

Worms:

A worm is a small program that uses networks and vulnerabilities in operating systems to spread throughout a network. A worm on an infected machine will scan the network for machines that have a specific vulnerability. It then copies itself to the vulnerable machines. The new copies of the worm scan the network and copy themselves to vulnerable machines, thereby spreading the worm..

Trojan Horses:

A trojan horse is a computer program that claims to be one thing but is actually another. For example, it might claim to be greeting card software, but when installed it actually is a program that deletes all files on your computer. Trojan horses do not replicate automatically; they must be installed on a computer.

To protect your computer against viruses, worms, and trojan horses, you should install anti-virus software. The MBL offers Norton Enterprise Anti-Virus Software to year-round scientists and administrative staff. If you are interested in having the Norton Anti-Virus Software installed on your computer, please contact the helpdesk at http://helpdesk.mbl.edu.



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