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WORKSTATION TECHNOLOGY - Computer Threat Definitions
Virus - Phishing - Spam - Hoax
SSTA-WT and Purdue utilize several safeguards to protect supported machines and your email account against viruses and spam. It is important for you to be knowledgeable about the various threats and proper actions to perform.
| VIRUS |
What is it?
A computer virus is a small program written to alter the way a computer operates without the permission or knowledge of the user. Some viruses are programmed to harm the computer by damaging programs or deleting files. Others are not designed to do any damage, but simply to replicate themselves and make their presence known by presenting text, video, and audio messages. |
What are SSTA and Purdue doing about it?
SSTA computers are protected by McAfee VirusScan software and virus definitions are automatically updated as they are published. We also utilize Windows firewall to prevent unwanted intrusions into your computer. Additionally, Purdue’s email servers scan for viruses in message attachments before they reach your inbox. |
What can I do?
Never open an email attachment unless you know what it is - even if it comes from someone you know and trust. Do not attempt to download programs from the Internet, including screensavers. |
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| PHISHING |
What is it?
Phishing is the act of tricking someone into disclosing confidential information. Emails falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise (bank, credit card company, ebay) in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering information (e.g. SSNs, acct. numbers, passwords, etc.) that will be used for identity theft. |
What are SSTA and Purdue doing about it?
Many phishing emails are caught by the spam filtering software. |
What can I do?
Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information and delete the email. Do not click on Internet links in suspicious emails. The Anti-Phishing Working Group website has information on how to avoid phishing scams. |
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| SPAM |
What is it?
"Junk Mail" - commercial advertising indiscriminately sent in mass quantities as unsolicited, unwanted, irrelevant, or inappropriate messages. |
What are SSTA and Purdue doing about it?
Since June 2004, Purdue’s main email domain has used automated spam filtering software, called PureMessage, to greatly reduce the amount of unsolicited junk email that reaches users’ email accounts. |
What can I do?
You can delete SPAM messages or send them to is-spam@purdue.edu where they may be added to the spam filter. Secure Purdue has some suggestions on how to avoid SPAM. |
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| EMAIL HOAX |
What is it?
Email Hoaxes are false warnings which often urge you to take some action to protect your computer (delete files, install patches, etc). Especially when spread by well-meaning individuals, email hoaxes can cause significant panic and damage. |
What are SSTA and Purdue doing about it?
Many hoax emails are caught by the spam filtering software. Additionally, security fixes are automatically applied to your SSTA-WT supported computer. |
What can I do?
If you receive a message urging you to change something on your computer, verify that it is legitimate. If it is not, the best course of action is to merely delete the email as they contain bogus warnings usually intent only on frightening or misleading users. Before passing along a warning, check to see if it's a known hoax. |
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