Help! I Have a Virus!
The following steps will help you to assist your IS staff or your Computer Emergency
Response Team (CERT) to identify for sure whether you have a computer virus and do the appropriate clean
up. Of course, if your firm has a procedure to follow when you think you have a virus, follow your company
instructions.
When you think you have a virus…
- Don’t panic!
- Verify you have a virus. Use reliable anti-virus software with an up-to-date virus database to
confirm the existence of a virus on your machine.
- If you’ve run the anti-virus software and you’re still not sure if you have a virus (your software
says you might have a virus, for example), contact your IS support staff--- immediately.
- If your system is connected to a printer, and your screen shows information about the virus, print
a copy of the screen.
- If your anti-virus software has found a virus, leave it running. Exit all other programs and do not
start any new ones.
- Do NOT turn your system off!
- If there is a chance someone else will use your computer, place a sign on it saying “Do Not Use!”
- Do not use the system until the virus has been cleaned up.
- Report your virus to your company CERT or Information Systems manager immediately.
Your CERT or IS staff will assist you in cleaning up the virus. They may need more information
from you to help determine how the virus was contracted and to help identify the extent of the infection.
Your cooperation will greatly assist in the thorough cleanup and further prevention.