Computer users beware: Klez is set to launch on Monday, May 6.

The Klez virus could destroy files on those computers infected with the virus. On this date the virus is designed to destroy the system-resulting in the deletion of one’s hard drive.

According to Information Technology Service, a new warning about the virus has come up this week. An e-mail is being sent that boasts “Worm Kelz.E Immunity.” The e-mail comes with an attachment for free, to remove the Klez virus, but in reality once it is opened the computer becomes infected. ITS would like students to call the support center if such an e-mail or any other suspicious e-mails are received.

ITS has some simple steps to avoid getting infected with this e-mail-transmitted virus:

 be sure your Windows updates are current;

 be sure your Office product updates are current;

 be sure that your anti-virus files are updated;

 most importantly, be sure to save all your documents from your hard drive to another source (diskette, zip disk or CD) before May 6.

Those who do not own anti-virus software can download a trial version from Symantec.

“We advise that anyone who uses the University network have anti-virus software with the most current updates,” said Barb Coleman, manager of training and communications of ITS.

Even if the computer has become infected with the virus, it is still possible to save data and software.

“We are hoping that all users are informed about the virus, that we don’t see many problems on Monday,” Coleman said.

Kazaa Software

Students enjoy the use of filing sharing programs to download music, software programs, games, pictures and much more. Kazza software is a peer-to-peer application program for sharing the files over the Internet. Students, faculty or staff who have downloaded this program may have installed more then just the program.

Brilliant Digital Entertainment, a digital advertising company, quietly installs its own software with every copy of the Kazaa file-swapping software. The software program was added to the first of the year. This added program enables Brilliant to use a computer’s unused power to help other companies with their complicated computing tasks.

The program will sit dormant in a computer until the software is launched. The company plans to launch the program in early May. According to Brilliant Digital CEO Kevin Bermesister the computer’s Internet connection will not be used without the owner’s permission. The application is downloaded onto your computer but it cannot launch without permission. ITS believes the program will be launched by a pop-up window appearing on your screen offering you some sort of freebie. If you click yes to launching the program, the company will tap into your computer using any power that is not being used.

The company is targeting colleges and universities. “We are a prime target for some private company to be using the University’s bandwidth for free and to in return make money off of our services,” said Coleman. “This is because students would be enticed by a free offer and also many students leave their computers on all the time even when they are not using them.”

ITS has two major concerns with this application-which is a violation of University policy-not only is it illegal, but it will also pull the network down.

By giving the company permission to use your computer you are giving them the right to resources you don’t own. Also the launching of this program will cause the University bandwidth to have more traffic causing the network to run slowly.

“We don’t want anybody to be put in a compromising position that one might be willingly to say yes to a freebie in return violating policy,” said Coleman.

Students can check their computers to see if there is Brilliant software on your machine select the Add/Remove option from your Windows Control Panel. If there is a option called “b3d projector” you have the program on your computer. Contact the ITS support center at 977-4000 if you do have this program on your machine, unless you are an experienced technical user. Deleting the program by yourself might cause one to delete other computer programs needed for the operation of the computer.

“Students, faculty and staff should not hesitate to call ITS if the program is on their computer,” said Coleman.