The nature of online volunteering means a lot of contact between computers -- emails, attachments, transfers of files, and so on. Because of this interaction, volunteers and organizations can be at risk for transmitting computer viruses between each other.
Most computer viruses are merely annoying, but there are a few that can lead to system crashes and other serious problems, such as the "Melissa" virus of April 1999, which launched emails with a virus attached to everyone in a user's address book without the user knowing about it.
Often, nonprofit and public sector organizations don't have a lot of understanding about computer viruses. It may be difficult to distinguish between real virus warnings and the many hoax warnings that permeate the Internet, or they don't know how to tell when a computer is infected by a virus, or how to clean it.
When you work with an agency online, be sure to ask them what kind of virus software they have and if they update it regularly; also tell them what kind of virus software you use and make sure that you, too, update it regularly (most manufacturers post free updates on their web sites at least every quarter). One of your online tasks could be to let the organization know when an upgrade for their particular virus software is available, and how to download it and install it on their computers.
Index of Anti-Virus Resources
- McAfee
Includes a clinic section with information to protect your system from any virus, new or old. Also includes downloads and upgrades for McAfee products, and information on hoaxes. - Symantec
Offers information on the latest viruses and advertises Symanyec's Norton AntiVirus software, including information about hoaxes. - Virus Bulletin Homepage
Highlights the latest information on computer viruses, and includes a Virus Prevalence Table telling you which viruses are currently being reported. - AVP Virus Encyclopedia
By Metropolitan Network BBS Inc., this site has a general information section that includes a a glossary, classification of computer viruses, and computer virus detection and removal methods. It gives quick links to AVP products and downloads. - Free Anti-Virus Software
An index of free anti-virus software compiled by thefreesite.com - Hoaxbusters
Describes hoaxes and chain letters found on the Internet, with information on how to recognize hoaxes, and what to do about them.
