Anyone with an Internet connection must be careful of what they download because viruses could be embedded within certain downloads.

The functions of these viruses are numerous. Some delete essential system files while others can report sensitive information back to their creators.

But there is a way to fight back. Ranging from simple vigilance to complicated programs, students have an arsenal at their disposal.

VIGILANCE

David Galica, owner of Snare Systems, 143 E. Lincoln Highway, said many people infect their computers by downloading everything on the Internet.

“People that are afraid of spyware go out and download all of these programs that turn out to be spyware themselves,” Galica said.

These programs, called rogue anti-spyware, can create headaches by flooding a computer with messages informing the user that his or her computer is being infected with numerous viruses and the only way to remove them is to install this program. Oftentimes, the program itself is the virus.

But viruses can do more than just corrupt computers as Austin Pietrobon, freshman electrical engineering major, can attest to.

“My brother downloaded some music for my dad. One of the music files, when it was put on the MP3, was just numbers… After we went to check up on that, the file had corrupted the MP3 player,” Pietrobon said.

Galica said people should be careful about what programs they download. Specifically, he warns people to not download attachments from people who claim to be wealthy descendants of Nigerian royalty, a common e-mail hoax.

SOFTWARE

It takes more than simple vigilance to defend a computer from viruses. While some downloads can ravage your computer, there are others that can improve your computer’s security.

Both Galica and Michael Kuba, assistant director of ResTech, recommend Spybot-Search and Destroy and Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware programs that remove and detect spyware and malware, respectively.

Galica also recommends CCleaner, a program that cleans out unused files, while Kuba added Lavasoft’s Adaware and Windows Defender.

In addition, Kuba said ResTech is allowing students this semester to use any version of McAfee, Norton or Trendmicro software. ResTech, however, will only be able to help students if they’re having trouble with the NIU-provided version of McAfee.

“We do not have the resources to support all the different versions of anti-virus software that exist,” Kuba said in an e-mail.

Internet browsers play a factor too. Because Internet Explorer is the most widely-used browser, it is targeted more often than Mozilla Firefox and Opera, Kuba said.

PC VS. MAC

Sometimes, a computer’s vulnerability lies in what the computer is.Kuba said ResTech does not see Macs in for virus trouble.

“This year, we’ve only had two Macs brought in for virus trouble compared to hundreds of Windows,” Kuba said.

Galica expressed similar sentiments.

He said he has never seen a Mac brought into Snare Systems for virus troubles.

He described them as more efficient machines, and the operating system has significantly fewer problems with viruses.

Kuba added that a lot more people use Windows than Macs.

Kuba said that out of the 2,800 people who were logged in at the residence halls Wednesday afternoon, 275 of them were Macs.