By Rachel McCain

A college student no longer just worries about contracting viruses such as the flu or various STDs. They also have the terrible risk of contracting computer viruses as well.Computer intruders such as ad-ware and Trojans are only a few clicks away when one is surfing the web. Most of the time, students let their guards down while online and don’t think twice about opening up emails from unknown senders or illegal downloading music from a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) program such as Ares or Morpheus. However, programs such as these are rife with nasty viruses and worms which may potentially damage a computer or just erase an entire hard drive altogether.Students are lucky to have the ResNet office, an on-campus computing service center that ensures that our connection to the University network is problem-free. Although ResNet helps the student body solve, they still suggest that one remain watchful while surfing the net. Dan Ramirez, ResNet Coordinator of University computing services, offered a few tips on how students can keep their computers safe.Have an Anti-Virus program installed on your computer.”As long as you keep your Anti-Virus software installed and up- to-date, that’s pretty much one of the biggest things you want to do,” Ramirez said. “You should also scan it weekly. If a student is a residential student, they are required to have McAfee Anti-Virus.”Stay away from Spam.Avoid opening emails or Instant Messages from people you do not know. This could result in actually unleashing a virus that could potentially destroy your computer.Avoid falling victim to Internet Scams- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.You’ve seen them- the ads where all you have to do is fill out a quick survey and you’ll ‘win’ a free laptop, cell phone or other offer. Most of the time, sites like these just plant spyware and adware on your computer, try to steal your identity or worse-all of the above.Avoid P2P file sharing as if it were the Plague.Despite the fact many of these sites boast that they are “free,” they are not. When sharing files across a P2P network, the only thing free about these sites is the smorgasbord of malicious codes you’re exposing your computer to. The cost to fix your computer once infected, now that’s another story.If your computer gets infected, fix it A.S.A.P.As you may know, all students who use their personal computer on the University’s network are required to install anti-virus software on their computer. If your computer is infected or if you feel that there might be a possibility that something is up with it, do a quick virus scan.”If that doesn’t resolve the issue and you still think you have a virus, you should probably have it professionally repaired,” Ramirez explained. “There’s actually a computer repair center right here on campus right next to the Hammer computer lab. They do that type of work for a nominal fee.”

(istockphoto.com)