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Virus Threats Still Plague Public, UNTBy Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online EditorIf you thought the "virus trolls" or whoever it is that dreams up and periodically releases those things into cyberspace were going to take a summer vacation, think again. A new virus sprang up last week and I'm sure there are more where that came from. The latest threat (or at least as of this writing) is something called "Stages." Like the recent "Love Bug" virus, it multiplies by sending a copy of itself to everyone listed in the infected computer's address book. Unlike that other virus, however, it masquerades as a ".txt" file even though it's really a ".shs" file that can contain executable and malicious code. You should beware of opening the attachment of any E-mail message containing the words "funny," "life stages," or "jokes" in the subject line (of course this can always be altered), especially if it is from someone you don't think would send you such a message. Since this virus -- like the "Love Bug" -- is Windows-based, you don't need to worry about it if you use a Mac or don't run the Windows Operating Environment. Mike Williams, who is UNT's new Anti-virus Coordinator, reported detection of the "Stages" virus on campus June 19th. It was not spread however, due to the recipient's awareness that the virus was in circulation. The UNT Virus Website (http://www.unt.edu/virus/) has been updated -- and redesigned too! -- to reflect this latest attack on Windows-based operating environments. Last month's Benchmarks Online had quite a few articles addressing the topic of viruses, including the "Love Bug" virus, and computer security:
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