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How to report a computer virus or hoax

Document number: 69063

 

Computer Viruses are becoming more common, as are virus hoaxes. Viruses are also becoming more sophisticated and damaging. The best defense is to follow safe computing practices. If Norton AntiVirus finds a virus on your PeopleSoft machine report it according to the guidelines below. Move suspicious email to your quarantine folder in Lotus Notes before following up further.

Almost as troublesome as a computer virus are the hoaxes and false warnings of a virus. Hoaxes and false warnings create costs in terms of staff time to research and verify the warning, and in resources used (time and disk space) in distributing the warning. The costs created by false reports can be very significant.  Hoaxes often induce a person to damage their own computer in following instructions to delete required files that are falsely identified as a virus. The best defense against false reports is a vigilant attitude and  using resources to check out reports.

Reporting Computer Viruses.

What you should do about a computer virus depends upon how you discovered the problem. If you have found an infected document or file during a virus scan:

  1. Notify the sender and Technical Support Operations immediately with reference to the specific document or file, including the type of infection you have discovered (if possible).

  2. Report the problem by contacting Technical Support Operations by phone or submit a ticket via NorthStar (please do not send an email alert to TSO).

  3. Do not spread a general alert beyond making those two specific notifications. While finding a computer virus can be alarming, care must be taken to avoid unwarranted blame and concern. When Technical Support Operations has been notified the situation will be researched to determine the most appropriate resolution.  

  4. If you have not actually found the virus on your PeopleSoft machine but have received a warning about a virus from someone else you can either investigate it yourself, or report the warning according to the guidelines below.

Reporting Computer Virus Warnings.

Do you have a hot tip on a dangerous computer virus? Well hang on, take a deep breath, and check it out. If you are acting on information received from someone else their information may not be accurate. Hoaxes about computer viruses can cause almost as much damage as a real virus just based on all the unnecessary email and work generated. Before you pass on the warning you might choose to find out if there is any substance to the report. Click here for some web sites to check, and some that will help you learn more. Most virus warnings sent via e-mail are hoaxes.

Do not pass on unconfirmed virus warnings outside of PeopleSoft.   Just passing on the warning can cause undue expense and concern so before you pass it on, make sure it is real. Check the Information Security website for current virus threats as well as hoaxes.

If you don't find the information you are looking for on the websites provided, or if you don't have the time to check it out for yourself, then contact Technical Support Operations by phone or submit a ticket via NorthStar Web (do not send an email alert to TSO). TSO will research the information and determine the best course of action.

It is important to verify the risk before making wide spread notifications.  If the information is verified then notifications can be made to the appropriate parties through established channels of communication.

Is this a hoax or is it real?

Some computer related hoaxes sound very real.  Many are well known and have been around for years.  Some internet and computer related stories are mere "urban legends" That is they sound true but have been proven false. These urban legends can be related to a wide variety of topics such as pending legislation, scams, viruses, computer problems, chain letters, hackers and similar topics. If you hear of something that sounds like it is important for the computing world to know about the chances are someone has already investigated the issue.  Before you pass on the warning you might choose to use some resources to find out if there is any substance to the report.

Tips: If someone is urging that you pass the information on, chances are it is a hoax.   The higher the level of urgency the lower the level of credibility. A good hoax clue is lots of exclamation marks.!!!!! If it is important enough that everyone should know it will be newsworthy. If it is newsworthy you will hear about it in the popular press.  Click here for some web sites to check, and some that will help you learn more.

If you are experiencing problems that you believe may be caused by a virus or other unauthorized activity on your computer try the steps in Eureka! document 19036 — Unauthorized changes to IE, unauthorized downloads and pop-ups. For performance and other operating system problems see the list of Operating System documents.

 

 

 

Web sites to check the validity of virus warnings and scams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2000-2004 All rights reserved.
Created: db 11/29/2000
Revised: db 07/19/2004

 

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