Threats to computer systems worldwide are continuing to increase. Whilst Staff in IT and local IT Support Staff make every effort to provide a secure environment for our computers, it is true to say that the network is only a secure as its weakest link. This means that we require the cooperation of every user in our community, and every person who manages their own workstation to help us out by adopting the best practice working methods that we recommend. On this site you will find a guide to best practices and details of the Antivirus software available for use by Staff.
The University provides its staff Sophos Anti-Virus (SAV) as its virus detection and disinfection software for PCs and Macintoshs. It checks local hard disks and networks, Internet downloads, email attachments and Groupware for the presence of viruses. Its unique architecture intelligently determines which files need to be virus checked, maximising user transparency and minimising performance overhead. Flexible configuration option means that SAV can make the most efficient use of workstation and network resources.
As part of the standard OU Desktop (OUD) system installed on all CES built personal computer systems, Sophos anti-virus is a component. The intercheck client monitor is constantly active sweeping the system. Updates to counter-act current trends reach us very quickly and are installed within the anti-virus suite as a matter of urgency. These local measures are in addition to virus scanning carried out at the various mail interface switches that effectively filter incoming email. Your local IT support provider will make contact with you should any email and or attachments be suspect.
If of course you have any doubts that you feel your system or files may be infected in any way, please speak initially with your local it support people and ensure that your system is disconnected from the OU local area network by removing the blue cable from the rear of the system unit. If you're unable to make contact with them then please contact IT-Helpdesk as a matter of urgency.
In addition to standard virus trends, which incidentally do include a number of hoaxes, there has been recent growth in what is referred to as non viral malware. This being where a victim - usually a somewhat random internet user - is tricked in to running an executable program from a remote source thereby opening what is referred to as a 'backdoor' in to their own system. We don't have to spell out what potentially can happen from here, so if in doubt, don't find yourself getting in to this situation.
