Yesterday, the Saint Louis University’s computer network
experienced a series of virus-related problems that slowed down
e-mail delivery or prevented computer use altogether. Due to the
recent virus outbreaks, Information Technology Services is
encouraging the usage of anti-virus protection software for all
network users.
The University server experienced problems yesterday as a number
of viruses caused an increase in the volume of e-mails being sent.
On Wednesday the server was flooded with more than 245,000 messages
in the “to send” queue. Of those messages more than 70,500 were
infected with a virus. The server normally catches 1,200 viruses
daily.
The e-mails are being sent from viruses that are hidden within
the e-mail address book. The virus activates by sending a message
without the user’s knowledge. When the message is opened, the virus
attaches to the user’s address book and continues to spread.
Since the outbreak, ITS has cleaned out the garbage messages
(the messages that contained the virus) and is now implementing
virus scanning controls for all e-mails that are passed through the
slu.edu address. The controls will only scan for viruses, not spam
or content.
Freshmen moving onto campus Wednesday were instructed by ITS and
Residence Life staff not to connect to the University’s network.
Those computers that did connect were infected with the
W32.Blaster.Worm.
“A box came up that said ‘You have 60 seconds to save all
information before your computer is shut down,'” said Tim
Cosentino, a sophomore living on the Micah floor in the Griesedieck
Complex.
The virus is circulating on computers that use the Windows 2000
or Windows XP operating system. The worm is causing problems
worldwide, causing them to reboot every few minutes, and makes the
system unresponsive. Ellie Craft, a resident advisor in Gries, was
able to find help online. “A friend of mine came in the other day
and showed me how to go to the Microsoft Web site,” Craft said.
There, she was able to download a patch that allowed her computer
to run without interruption.
“Any computer that does not have the Microsoft-recommended
critical patches is very likely to be infected with the worm as
soon as it connects to the Internet,” said Jananne Clemens, manager
of Desktop and Support Center Services.
Starting this morning, the staff for Residence Life and ITS will
be installing the critical patches on any computers that students
plan to connect to the network. Once the critical patches are
installed and their anti-virus protection is updated, students can
log onto the network system.
Currently ITS recommends that all students, faculty and staff
using the University’s network have some type of anti-virus
protection on their computers. ITS is requesting that anti-virus
definitions are updated daily during the next few weeks to ensure
that SLU e-mail and other network systems are functioning
virus-free.
Due to the virus problems, the University is taking steps to
avoid a disruption in the network. ITS has obtained Norton Anti
Virus 8.1 for all full-time students at SLU.
The University will cover the cost of the Norton program. ITS is
currently negotiating whether or not all students using the
University network will be required to install the Norton Anti
Virus program on their personal computers.
