January 30, 2004 Announcements
Campus
Addresses Computer Virus
(By Danielle Hegsted, office of the vice president for Information
Technology Services)
Mydoom, a new computer virus spreading by email and peer-to-peer
file-sharing, is breaking records and wreaking havoc worldwide;
Utah State University was hit as well, but measures are being
taken to slow the virus' effects.
The virus seems to have three parts, according to McAfee's
Web site. First, it creates a backdoor, where someone can gain
control of a computer.
From now until Feb. 1, the virus is designed to mass mail itself
to a host of email addresses.
"The virus relies on email addresses stored in known places
on a computer," said Bob Bayn, associate director, Campus
Network and Computer Services. "Most Utah State University
computers have a lot of university email addresses. This results
in many 'secondary infections,' where on-campus computers infect
other on-campus computers."
Starting Feb. 1, the virus is programmed to perform Denial
of Service (DOS) attacks to SCO.com.
Finally, after Feb. 12, the virus is designed to keep the back
door open, and "listen for instructions from its new master,"
Bayn said. "This just shows how imperative it is to keep
all our defenses up."
"Everyone needs to be cautious and careful," said
Barbara White, vice president for Information Technology Services
and chief information officer. "Make sure the emails you
open are legitimate. It is easy to be fooled."
As of 5 p.m. Jan. 27, John Hanks, network systems specialist,
said the email scanner had tagged more than 165,000 messages.
"Normal mail load is between 100,000 and 300,000 messages
per day," he said. "This shows the relative severity
of this particular attack."
Bayn said the virus often looks like it comes from a legitimate
address, but, in fact, the address is always forged.
"The bottom line, or maybe the top line, is: don't click
on attachments," said Bayn.
He said users should be especially wary of vague email messages
and subject lines.
Kim Marshall, director of network and computing services, said
users should also be aware that the virus can spread through
peer-to-peer file sharing, such as music downloads from KaZaa,
which is just "one more reason to be very wary of peer-to-peer
sharing."
Bayn said Utah State is making headway in its fight against
the virus. First, staff and students are conducting searches
to find infected machines and vulnerable ports.
Some machines show evidence of being infected and then show
evidence of being cleaned. Bayn said this is an indication of
people using their virus protection correctly and downloading
new DAT files quickly. He said the people who did this should
be commended.
"We want to extend our thanks to those who keep their
virus files up-to-date," he said. "Everyone who is
conscientious about virus protection is helping the situation.
Everyone who isn't is part of the problem. This should be a
wakeup call to those who are not keeping their virus protection
up-to-date."
For information on how to keep virus protection updated, contact
your local network administrator or visit the Utah State Helpdesk
at helpdesk.usu.edu or 435-797-4358.
The university also has a mail scanner, which is a machine
that intercepts Utah State's email and scans it for spam and
viruses. Once McAfee has identified a potential virus threat,
Utah State's scanner will, in turn, remove any attachment that
is recognized as a virus.
Miles Johnson, network systems specialist, said the university
is taking other measures to protect itself and others. "[Incoming
and outgoing] email to USU has been blocked at the borders,"
he said. "This means that email from off-campus and email
to off-campus has been delayed so the email scanners can have
a chance to look at it."
Guest
Guitarist Performs At Utah State University
 The
guitar program in the department of music at Utah State University
hosts guest artist Ricardo Cobo in a solo concert Thursday,
Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium.
His appearance is made possible through a grant from the Marie
Eccles Caine Foundation. The concert is the classical guitar
offering for the year.
Tickets for the concert are available at the door. Admission
is $5 and Utah State students with current ID are admitted free.
A classical guitarist, Cobo was until recently director of
guitar studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, said Utah
State's guitar program director Mike Christiansen.
"Ricardo has quite a performance and competition winning
background," Christiansen said. "He was here in the
late 1980s for a performance, and we've invited him again."
With many talented guitarists performing today, Christiansen
said he doesn't have many "repeaters" at Utah State.
Cobo is an exception.
"Ricardo has won many competitions, appeared at numerous
festivals and has numerous competitions under his belt,"
Christiansen said. "His concerts are notable because of
the diversity of the repertoire. He always includes a nice mix."
Christiansen also spoke highly of Cobo's technical ability,
especially his tone.
"He plays with such a great tone — the audience
will easily hear each note," he said. "He can play
with the quality of a lullaby and then with the fire of a marching
band."
In addition to his concert, Cobo will present a workshop the
same day (Feb. 5). This workshop is open to the public, and
those interested in attending should contact Christiansen at
(435) 797-3011. (read
the full release)
Museum
of Anthropology at Utah State University Offers Lecture Series
The Museum of Anthropology at Utah State University presents
a diverse lineup of lectures this semester in its Anthropology
and the Arts Series, announced Melanie Dixon, events coordinator.
The series features several types of visual arts from around
the world and how those visual arts relate to anthropology and
the study of human cultures. The lecture series is supported
by a grant from the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation.
"Anthropology is one of those elusive departments everyone
has heard of, but no one really knows what it's all about,"
Dixon said. "This series might help bring the department
and anthropology into focus. These lectures should prove fascinating,
stimulating and educational for newcomers and experienced students
of anthropology alike."
Dixon also promises after-lecture receptions with good food
and the opportunity for one-on-one time with the visiting artists
and scholars. All presentations are held in Old Main 115.
The Anthropology and the Arts Series has several objectives,
Dixon said, including building appreciation of the arts of the
non-Western world. The series also reinforces the links between
the social sciences, such as anthropology, and the humanities,
by focusing on arts both as components of culture and as art
forms. (read
the full release, including schedule)
African
American Read-In To Honor Black Writers
 For
the second time, Utah State University will participate in an
annual African American Read-In. This year's event takes place
Monday, Feb. 2, in the Utah State Taggart Student Center Sunburst
Lounge and is sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), the
department of English, the Women and Gender Studies Program
and the School of the Arts. Local organizers are BSU President
Gabe Carter; Multicultural Student Services, led by Christine
Christensen; and department of English Associate Head Pat Gantt.
The Read-In, part of Utah State's observance of Black History
Month, features administration, faculty and students, both graduate
and undergraduate, reading selections by African American authors
and performing music. Each reading will be from 5-15 minutes
long.
Last February, close to 1,000 local people participated in
this celebration of literacy. Those who would like to participate
in this year's Read-In are asked to contact Christine Christensen
in Multicultural Student Services at chrismss@cc.usu.edu.
"The African American Read-In is another wonderful opportunity
for our community to celebrate the legacy of genius we all share,"
said Gantt. "We have now expanded our selection of such
events, with last spring's Native American Read-In, this fall's
Hispanic Read-In and the more recent Asian American Read-In
— all led by related Utah State student organizations.
Ernesto Lopez and Gabe Carter have been terrific leaders in
this series of successful events."
In 1990, the first African American Read-In Chain was sponsored
by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English.
In 1991, the National Council of Teachers of English joined
in the sponsorship. The Read-In has been endorsed by the International
Reading Association. More than one million readers of all ethnic
groups, from 49 states, the West Indies and African countries
have participated. The goal is to make the celebration of African
American literacy a traditional part of Black History Month.
For more information on the African American Read-In or the
department of English, contact (435) 797-3858.
utah
state today/archives/January
2004/archives
prior to Sept 2002/
Brought
to you by Utah State University Public Relations and Marketing
|