General Security Information
As more of us utilize the Internet and exchange valuable information
online, keeping our files safe from virus attacks is becoming an essential
part of using a computer. This page provides a brief glossary of terms
and an introduction to computer security both at home and within the
Stern community.
Virus Protection at Stern
Norton AntiVirus software is installed on all Stern computers and
servers. Norton automatically scans all inbound and outbound files to
and from a computer in the Stern complex and all network drives including
users' h: drives. Users can also scan their h: drive or floppy disks
on demand (click on the Norton icon on the desktop of the computer).
If a virus is detected, the system will automatically clean or quarantine
the infected file and notify the user. As new viruses are created every
day, it is possible that a virus would not be recognized by Norton or
other anti-virus software. If you have a reason to believe that your
files are infected with a virus visit the IT HelpDesk (Tisch UC-49)
for assistance. Norton virus definition (data or .dat files) are updated
on the computers in the Stern complex and the Stern network as new data
files are released.
Protecting Your Home Computer: Recommendations
Owning a computer without virus protection is no longer an option
in today's computing environment. It is recommended that anyone who
owns a computer install virus protection software on that computer and
update it on a regular basis.
Virus protection software can be purchased from any computer store
(the NYU Computer Store is located at 242 Greene Street). On average,
virus protection software packages cost anywhere from $40 - $80.
NYU students, including Stern students, have access to download Symantec
Anti-Virus for Windows software. To download, login to NYU Home and
click on the Files tab, then under the Software section, click on Symantec
Anti-Virus for Windows 98/2000/NT/Me/XP Software. Alternatively, click here to download the Symantec Anti-Virus
program, you will be required to login with your Stern NetID and password.
Glossary of Security and Virus Terminology
| Application |
a utility that has been downloaded along with
a desired program and is unwanted, such as adware or spyware (often
with prefix "App/") |
| Blended Threat |
threats that combine the characteristics of
viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and malicious code with server and
internet vulnerabilities to initiate, transmit, and spread an attack;
can spread rapidly and cause widespread damage. |
| Chain Letter |
email that urges recipients to forward the
message to other people; consequently wastes time and bandwidth |
| Exploit |
a program or technique that takes advantage
of a vulnerability in software; can be used for breaking security
or otherwise attacking a host over the network |
| Firewall |
a security system that uses rules to block or
allow connections and data transmissions between your computer and
the internet |
| Harvesting |
the process of scanning the internet to identify
email addresses in order to create lists for spamming |
| Hoax |
an email message that is usually mailed in chain
letter fashion, and which describes some devastating highly unlikely
type of virus |
| Joke |
a harmless program that causes various benign
activities to display on your computer, for example, an unexpected
screensaver |
| Malware |
short for malicious software, software designed
specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or Trojan. |
| Mass Mailer/Mailing Worm |
virus or worm that replicates by sending itself
via email; will send itself to every email address it finds on an
infected machine |
| Nigerian Scam |
a type of advanced fee fraud in which bulk email
is sent detailing a story about foreign nationals who need help
to move a large sum of money; asking recipients to pay a series
of fees to help them, promising a large percentage of funds |
| Phishing |
emails that appear to come from legitimate companies
and include links to a fraudulent (though often authentic-looking)
web page to hook users and trick them into submitting personal or
financial information or passwords |
| Scam |
a fraudulent business scheme |
| Spam |
electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings,
sometimes considered to be any unsolicited e-mail, generally advertising
for some product sent to a mailing list or newsgroup. In addition
to wasting people's time with unwanted e-mail, spam also eats up
a lot of network bandwidth. |
| Spyware |
software that gathers information secretly about
a computer user and relays that information covertly to someone
else; can infiltrate a computer as a software virus or be hidden
within a program; can monitor keystrokes, gather email addresses,
and capture passwords and credit card numbers |
| Trojan |
a program that neither replicates or copies
itself, but does damage or compromises the security of the computer;
typically spread via email, within a joke program or other malware |
| Variants |
new strains of viruses that "borrow"
code directly from other known viruses, to varying degrees; usually
identified by a letter, or letters, following the virus family name
(for example, VBS.LoveLetter.B, VBS.LoveLetter.C, etc.) |
| Virus |
a computer program that copies itself and often
disrupts computer systems or damages the data contained upon them;
requires a host program and will not infect a computer until it
has been run |
| Vulnerability |
any characteristic of a computer system that
keeps it from operating correctly, or that will let unauthorized
users take control of the system |
| Worm |
a program that makes copies of itself, such
as from one disk drive to another, or by copying itself using email
or some other transport mechanism; may do damage and compromise
the security of the computer and may arrive in the form of a joke
program or software |
|
