IT Security Alert: Computer Worm, Take Preventative Measures

The University of Houston is experiencing an outbreak of the W32/Conficker computer worm. Infected computers are causing CougarNet login failures while unsuccessfully attempting to infect computers.

The W32/Conficker worm infects computers running a Microsoft operating system (OS). That includes Apple users running a Microsoft OS in a dual-boot or “windowed” environment. That means, Apple users will have to follow both sets of directions.

Information Technology recommends that computer users go through the following steps. If you have any problems trying to perform these steps, please contact your local technology support provider, or contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411:

WINDOWS USERS

1) Using your CougarNet ID and password, log on to your computer.

2) Check the installed versions of your McAfee DAT files and Microsoft Updates. The installed McAfee DAT should be DAT 5493 (released 01/12/2009) or later. The installed Microsoft Updates should include KB958644.

3) Make sure automatic updates are enabled for your McAfee Microsoft OS.

4) Run the update programs for McAfee and Microsoft. If you cannot run the updates, your computer might be infected. Please contact your local technology support provider, or contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411.

5) Run a McAfee “On Demand Scan.” If the scan completes successfully, you do not need to do anything else. If you cannot run the scan, you computer might be infected. As mentioned above, please contact your local technology support provider, or contact the IT Support Center at 713-74-1411.

APPLE USERS

1) Using your CougarNet ID and password, log on to your computer. If you do not use a Cougarnet ID (bind to the network) go to the next step.

2) Check the installed versions of your McAfee DAT files. The installed McAfee DAT should be DAT 5495 (released 01/12/2009) or later.

3) Make sure automatic updates are enabled for your McAfee.

4) Run the update program for McAfee. If you cannot run the updates, your computer might be infected. Please contact your local technology support provider, or contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411.

5) Run a McAfee “On Demand Scan.” If the scan completes successfully, you do not need to do anything else. If you cannot run the scan, you computer might be infected. As mentioned above, please contact your local technology support provider, or contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411.