By Summer McCann
The computer virus Nimda, which has plagued computer systems nationwide, is surfacing in BYU computers across campus.
This worm is a weaker version of the original Nimda.a strain, which was spread to more than one million computers via the Internet in September.
Nimda first appeared on campus four or five weeks ago, said Jennifer Joy, public relations and marketing coordinator for BYU Information Technologies.
'This version is a lot less potent, varied version of the first,' Joy said.
So far, Nimda -- 'admin' spelled backwards -- has caused problems in the computer systems of the Harold B. Lee Library and the Eyring Science Center.
'It''s been a serious problem for us,' said Claire Nielsen, a computer support technician in the physics and astronomy department. 'I''d say so far we''ve devoted up to 200 hours trying to get rid of the different strains.'
There are several ways Nimda can get into a computer and penetrate its system.
It can arrive as an infected e-mail attachment, through shared network drives, or by exchanging information on a Web site, said Brett Hill, systems administrator in the Harold B. Lee Library.
When activated, the Nimda virus ties up computers or servers with useless programs, making it difficult for them to function properly.
The virus also exposes private information on the hard drive, making it accessible to hackers, according to the Virus Encyclopedia at Symantec, an anti-virus software provider.
The best way users can keep Nimda from invading their computers is to make sure their anti-virus software is updated, Hill said.
BYU computers are equipped with the Norton anti-virus program, which is one of the best softwares available for combating viruses, said Dave Orton, service representative manager for Information Technologies.
'This software is available to everyone across campus,' Orton said. 'We want to keep things functioning, and keep people as productive as possible.'
Andre Ursuleac was file sharing on his personal computer in Heritage Halls, when he was able to detect the Nimda virus before it spread throughout his system.
Students should be aware of the virus and be cautious of suspicious e-mails or attachments, said Ursuleac, a junior from Romania majoring in information systems and international studies.
To help stop the spread of viruses across campus, BYU''s Office of Information Technology provides students with information and free virus checkers on its Web site, Orton said.