Bearcat Online Virus Scanning

The Bearcat Online system's integrated Sophos software scans all inbound and outbound messages. It performs real-time detection and removal of viruses, Trojan horses, and computer virus hoaxes. For additional information on Sophos virus scanning features please see http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/whitepapers/savdetection.html.

New and Known Viruses

New viruses are released daily. Virus scanning companies are constantly releasing new pattern files and dat files to catch newly released viruses. It is important for all users to insure that they have their workstations' virus scanning software configured to check and update pattern files daily. The following links contain information on recently discovered viruses and current viruses in the wild:

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/
http://vil.mcafee.com/newVirus.asp

Virus Hoaxes

Virus hoaxes are false reports about non-existent viruses, often claiming to do impossible things. Unfortunately, some recipients occasionally believe a hoax to be a true virus warning and may take drastic action such as deleting critical files on their computers, mentioned in the hoax as being infected.

Hoaxes usually arrive in the form of an e-mail message and request that you forward them onto everyone you know. Please disregard and delete hoax e-mail messages. 

You can verify the authenticity of a virus notification by contacting the Help Desk at 556-HELP (4357).

Additional sites listing known hoaxes are as follows:

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoax.asp
http://vil.mcafee.com/hoax.asp
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/