Prevention is better than having to deal with virus. CTER students are eligible to purchase discount anti-virus software through U of I's Webstore. Some most pupolar software, for example, McAfee Virus Protection, are totally free to U of I students.

• What is a computer virus? (definition from Webopedia)

If you suspect you have a computer virus, here are some places to look for information.

• Symantec's Antivirus Research Center
• Computer Associates Virus Information Center
• Bob Kanish's "An Overview of Computer Viruses and Antivirus Software"
• Joe Wells' WildList Index

VirusScan 8.5i is the University-licensed & supported software. The following are places where you can find information on downloading anti-virus programs and updates.

• CITES Anti-virus Overview Page
• McAfee's Definition Update Download Page (for VirusScan 7 & 8; bottom of screen)
• McAfee's Stinger Download Page (for scanning and deleting viruses that usually affect the network)

Beware of "virus hoaxes"! If you get an email message saying "there is a new virus - forward this warning to everybody you know", you've probably gotten a "virus hoax" message. BEFORE you forward the message to anyone, please look at one of these "virus hoax" pages to see if you've been hoaxed. Otherwise you'll be spreading needless confusion and fear.

• Symantec's virus hoax page
• McAfee's Hoaxes page