The haunts of Halloween: The history of Halloween goes back centuries| 5 Teeing off for a home win: Q Golf team hosts Landfall Tradition Tourney | \J October 30, 2003 Volume LV, Number 9 Serving UNC Wilmington since Blaster worm virus invades campus computers Stidents who dcmmbad viruses risk losing their network privileges Alisha Gore Staff Writer The blaster worm virus infil trated the UNCW computer net work system in the summer of 2003. As a result, several comput ers belonging to the university or to private students were irre versibly damaged by the virus and are no longer working. Students living in residence halls who use their own personal computer to access the campus data network were asked to have an anti-virus program running on their computers and to keep their system updates current. The blaster worm virus specif ically attacks computers that run Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Students who own computers that run Windows 2000 or Windows XP are required to keep the soft ware on their computers current. Computers that run programs prior to Windows 2000, such as Windows 95 or 98, are not affect ed by the blaster worm virus. “If a student fails to do this, then he/she will risk losing his/her network privileges,” read a cam pus-wide email sent out by the Technology Assistance Center. The presence of viruses in the UNCW system has led to an increase in the demand for com puter servicing. “Due to the blaster worm virus, we are receiving a high number of calls,” said Ryan Hardison, a ResNet employee. Damage caused to a computer system by viruses can create numerous problems for students. The cost of repairing a computer that has been damaged by a virus can be expensive; sometimes the damage done by a virus to a com puter system is so extensive that a person will have to purchase another computer. Students can also lose important files as a result of a virus attacking their computer system. Signs that a computer may be infected with a virus include a computer shutting down unex pectedly and unusually slow completion of functions. “I fix and update regularly, and our labs have the highest up-time with minimal down-time,” said Bill Hill, computer laboratory coordinator. It is unwise to keep using an infected computer because the longer a virus stays in a comput er, the more damage it does. Also, there is the likely chance that an infected computer will keep spreading the virus to other com puters. “Our network IDs problems, isolates and then shields the spread ... then we are notified by the Web page where the problem lies. We then repair or re-image the computer,” Hill said. Juniors Kristen Gulish and Betsy Kiser supervise the computer lab in the library. The Blaster worm virus infected computers on the UNCW campus this past summer, leaving some permanantly damaged. Students living on-campus were asked to protect their computers with an anti-virus software. According to the Technology Assistance Center, the worst of the virus attacks from the blaster worm are over. “For the most part, everyone on campus has been quarantined. Our calls for the viruses are now very few and far between, compared to before,” said Rob Flade, TAC student employee. “But you never know when another one can pop up.” Because viruses seem to attack without much notice, the TAC recommends students stay current with their updates and make sure there is an anti-virus software program protecting their comput er. Students who believe that their computer has a virus should con tact the TAC at 962-4357 or e- mail tac@uncw.edu. They can also contact Client Services by filling out a form detailing their personal computer problems or with computers at UNCW computer labs at http://www.uncwil.edu/itsd/client/ help.html. Sports Contact Us Visit Us OP/ED UNCW Life Classifieds Editorial: 962-3229 www.theseahawk.org 4 5 8 9 Ads: 962-3789

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