Day 23
The Burglar
Late one night, a burglar broke into a house that he thought was empty.
He tiptoed through the living room but suddenly he froze in his tracks
when he heard a loud voice say, "Jesus is watching you!"
Silence returned to the house, so the burglar crept forward again.
"Jesus is watching you," the voice boomed again.
The burglar stopped dead again. He was frightened.
Frantically, he looked all around.
In a dark corner, he spotted a bird cage and in the cage was a parrot.
He asked the parrot, "Was that you who said Jesus is watching me?"
"Yes", said the parrot.
The burglar breathed a sigh of relief, then he asked the parrot:
"What's your name?" "Clarence," said the bird.
"That's a dumb name for a parrot," sneered the burglar.
"What idiot named you Clarence?"
The parrot said, "The same idiot who named the Rottweiller
Jesus."
A computer virus is programming code that creates some type of unexpected and undesired effect. Viruses are transferred often via floppy disk, but also can be transferred by way of a network, e-mail attachments, and downloading files from unknown sources from the Internet.
The six basic types of
viruses are as follows:
1.
Microsoft
Word and Excel macro viruses that hide inside templates. These also can also
infect WordPerfect files.
2.
Boot
Sector viruses that infect a floppy or hard disk boot sector.
3.
File
viruses that attach to system executable files such as COMMAND.COM or WIN.COM.
4.
Multipartite
viruses that begin as one type of virus, then rapidly mutate.
5.
Stealth
viruses that hide their presence on the disk or in memory, often even from
diagnostic software.
6.
Polymorphic
viruses that change their code as they move throughout your system, making tem
difficult to detect.
¨ Do not open e-mail attachments automatically. Save them and scan every file with virus protection software first.
¨ Do not launch programs automatically. Save them to file and scan them first.
¨ Create and keep a boot disk and be sure that it is write-protected.
¨ If possible, boot directly from your C drive instead of going through the A drive first. If you accidentally leave a diskette in the A drive that happens to be infected and you restart the computer, you will contaminate your system.
¨ Disable macros when opening templates in Microsoft Word 97.
¨ Back up Microsoft Word template files (.DOT) to another directory on your drive, change the file extensions, and set the template files to read-only.
¨ Update your anti-virus program frequently.
To fix these problems, the user needs to go to a non-infected PC and do a ‘Net search. Many viruses will create files, which you can delete from your system. For Example-
Let’s look at the Happy Worm Virus, it seems that this little happy program launches several files that watch who you email and then keeps track in a file and then sends them a second message with the HAPPY99.EXE file attached.
You
can remove this Trojan manually from your computer.
To do that, first check the WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder for the presence of these
files.
1.
SKA.EXE
2. SKA.DLL
3. WSOCK32.SKA
If
you find these files then you have been attacked by the Happy99 Trojan.
To remove this Trojan do the following:
1.
Delete SKA.EXE, SKA.DLL and WSOCK32.DLL
2. Rename WSOCK32.SKA as WSOCK32.DLL
Make
sure that you have WSOCK32.SKA file before deleting WSOCK32.DLL and ensure that
you have renamed this file properly. You may have to close your Browser, Email
software, etc. to delete and rename the DLL files.
(Zookeeper note: If you have Internet Explorer
integrated Windows, as I did, you may have to do it in ms-dos mode.
1. Shut down windows with the RESTART IN MS-DOS MODE option.
2.At the prompt type the bold text.
C:\WINDOWS>cd system
3.Next prompt and command:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM>del wsock32.dll
4.And finally:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM>ren wsock32.ska wsock32.dll
Then restart your computer.
Open the file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\liste.ska in your
NOTEPAD to see a list of who you may have infected with the Happy99 worm
virus.)
You may also do this-
reboot to dos mode. Type each of the following commands as shown, and hit the enter key after each one.
cd
\windows\system
attrib -r -s wsock32.dll
del wsock32.dll
del ska.dll
del ska.exe
rename wsock32.ska wsock32.dll
attrib +r +s wsock32.dll
exit
Or try: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/happy99.worm.html
Although today’s 3.5” diskettes are more durable than the older 5.25” diskettes, they are still a fragile form of storage. A floppy disk can be damaged or destroyed easily, and your data is lost along with it. The following list highlights ways you can prolong the life of floppy diskettes:
w Never leave floppy diskettes where they are exposed to high temperatures (over 120 degrees Fahrenheit). That would include direct sunlight, inside a car during summer, or anywhere in Arizona in July.
w If you expose floppy diskettes to extreme cold, you won’t lose the data, but you must let them warm up to room temperature gradually before using them.
w Never touch the actual disk with your hands.
TIP: An airport x-ray machine will not harm a floppy diskette or the data stored on it.
w Keep diskettes clean and dry. If the actual disk gets wet, leave the diskette alone until it dries naturally. You might be able to use the diskette once it is dry, but if you do, you should transfer the data and throw the diskette away.
w Never expose floppy diskettes to a magnetic field such as those found in unshielded speakers, home appliances, your monitor, or magnets of any type.
w Do not bend or try to move the outer cover of a floppy diskette – whether it is a 3.5” or 5.25” diskette.
w Label all your diskettes, but never write directly on the surface of a 5.25” diskette with anything other than a felt tip marker.
w Store your diskettes in a box.
Tape cartridges store data much the same way a floppy diskette does, and many of the problems with floppy diskettes apply to tape cartridges. The following list explains some dangers you should avoid:
w As with floppy diskettes, never leave tape cartridges exposed to high temperatures (over 120 degrees Fahrenheit).
w Like a floppy diskette, if you expose a tape cartridge to extreme cold, you won’t lose the data, but you must let the cartridge warm up to room temperature gradually before using it.
w Never touch the actual tape with your hands.
w Water will destroy tapes, as will any liquid that spills on the cartridge.
w Because tape cartridges use magnetic fields to store data, like the floppy diskettes, never expose a tape cartridge to a magnetic field, including speakers, home appliances, your monitor, or any magnets.
Contrary to popular belief, although CD-ROMs are more durable than other forms of storage, you can destroy them. Writeable CDs, known as CD-R or CD-RW, are more fragile and easier to destroy than CD-ROMs you buy. The following list points out some concerns about CD-ROMs.
w Compact discs will warp in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Never leave one in direct sunlight or in your car during the summer. If you use a CD-R drive to create your own CDs, you must be particularly concerned about temperature and ensure that the disc is exposed to consistent room temperatures only.
w Use the caddies that come with your CDs to store them and handle them as little as possible. Remember that the side without the label contains the data on a CD-ROM. Do not handle the disc by this back side.
w Do not use labels not made specifically for CD-ROMs.
w CD-ROMs are not damaged by water. Even if you spill a sticky substance on a disc, just run a little warm water on it and dry it with a soft cotton cloth.
w Compact discs do not react to magnetic fields.
w Do not bend, snap, attach a clip to, or throw your CDs. They can and do break when abused. When a CD breaks, it does not break into two pieces, but rather it shatters into thousands of little shards.
w You can clean a dirty CD, but you should take care to do it correctly. If you clean a disc, use a soft cotton cloth and rub in strips from the inside edge to the outer edge. Do not rub in circles. Never use a cleanser or solvent on a CD.
w Scratch repair kits are on the market, which you can use to restore data on a scratched CD.
Computer equipment, like
anything else, must be maintained and cleaned regularly. Most computers require
cleaning at least once every six months.
Computers have cooling fans
that draw air in through the disk drives and other openings in the case; they
exhaust the air through the main power supply. In the process, dust particles
build up on various internal surfaces.
The buildup of dust settles on components and remains until it is baked
on. This prevents the machine from cooling properly; eventually, components
break down from excessive heat buildup. In addition, dust particles can conduct
electricity, which can cause minor electrical shorts in the computer system.
Dirt and dust are also very abrasive to moving parts such as drive heads,
keyboard contacts, and gears.
To clean a computer system
properly, you must disassemble and clean it from the inside out.
Supplies:
¨ can of compressed air
¨ small, clean paintbrush
¨ artist's eraser or connector cleaner
¨ mini vacuum
To clean circuit boards inside a computer:
1. Remove the chassis from the PC.
2. Blow out the dust using compressed air. (Do not hold circuit boards over the chassis while blowing out dust.)
3. Clean connectors with the artist's eraser or connector cleaner.
4. Clean the inside of the case with the mini vacuum, using the paintbrush to loosen dirt in corners.
To clean a power supply:
1. Remove the power supply from the chassis.
2. Using compressed air, blow the dust out of the fan. (Do not hold the power supply near any other components while blowing out dust.)
3. Replace the power supply.
WARNING
Never attempt to open a power supply; it holds an electrical charge even when
unplugged. Opening a power supply can result in injury or death.
In the case of floppy disk
drives, the accumulation of dust will eventually cause the drive to fail. Dust
can drop from parts of the drive and settle on exposed surfaces of your
diskette, making it impossible to read data. Dust also can accumulate around
moving parts and slow the drive so that it will not operate properly. This can
increase friction and result in the failure of electronic circuitry in the
drive, requiring replacement of the component.
Supplies:
¨ CD-ROM drive cleaning kit
¨ floppy disk drive cleaning kit
To clean drives:
You can purchase drive
cleaning kits from a local computer retailer or supply store. Follow the directions on the kit to clean
the floppy disk and CD-ROM drives. Do
not use any other cleaning agents, because many solvents will damage drives.
Supplies:
¨ lukewarm water
¨ glass cleaner
¨ soft cloth
¨ compressed air
¨ denatured alcohol
To clean a mouse:
Pick up the mouse and turn it over. Press lightly with both thumbs on the plastic circle with a hole in the middle. Rotate the plastic circle counter-clockwise to loosen the collar.
1. Remove the collar and wash the ball with lukewarm water. (Using chemicals can damage the mouse). Let it air dry.
2. Clean the rollers with denatured alcohol (not rubbing alcohol).
3. Put the dry ball back into the mouse, replace the collar, and turn the collar clockwise until it stops.
NOTE
The mouse pad helps prevent dirt from getting into the mouse. When choosing a
mouse pad, it is a good idea to get one that has a laminated top, which you can
clean with a glass cleaner. Cloth pads tend to trap dust.
To clean a keyboard:
1. Unplug the keyboard from the PC.
2. Use glass cleaner or warm water and a soft cloth. Dampen
the cloth (do not get it dripping wet) and clean the dirty areas. Do not get any liquid directly on or under the
keys.
3. Using compressed air, blow dust and debris from under the
keys.
4. Let the keyboard air dry before plugging it back into the
PC.
Supplies:
¨ dry, soft, lint-free cloth
¨ mild detergent solution
To clean a computer case:
Wipe the surfaces and
controls with the dry cloth or a cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent
solution. Never spray fluids directly
on the unit.
NOTE
Any type of solvent such as alcohol can damage the finish.
A monitor is typically
cooled by convection (meaning the hot air rises). Dust can accumulate in the
housing vents. If these vents become
clogged, heat will build up inside the monitor and lead to operational problems
or cause the unit to break down.
Supplies:
¨ mini vacuum
¨ anti-static wipes
To clean a monitor:
1. Turn off the monitor and unplug it from the computer and the power source.
2. Using the mini vacuum, clean out the housing vents.
3. Using the anti-static wipes, clean the monitor screen.
4. Plug the monitor back into the computer and the power source.
