Virus Disrupts School Board’s Operations

A computer virus attacked systems at the Vancouver school board in Canada on January 7, 2009, disrupting all accounts in offices and school.

David Weir, Spokesman of the Vancouver School Board, said that the virus is annoying, but it hasn't interrupted administrative or academic businesses, as reported by The Vancouver Sun on January 8, 2009. Weir disclosed that the virus neither compromised data on the school's systems nor put personal information at risk.

But he said that computer users were prevented from logging into their systems on account of the virus. Technicians of the school's board instructed teachers and other staff to remain off from the networks to protect themselves from the malicious program that continuously created its own copies within an infected system.

According to experts, the source of the virus is not e-mail. Mohammad Akif, Head of Microsoft Canada Security and Privacy, said that the virus could have disseminated from any of the following reasons: a hacker inserting a USB key, a Trojan launching other viruses, or end-users opening a malware-infested file, as reported by 24 Hours on January 14, 2009. Md. Akif also indicated that a youngster desiring to have a feeling of achievement could have caused the woes for the school board's PC.

However, the details about the way the computer virus entered the system is yet to be determined, according to David, as reported by 24 Hours on January 14, 2008.

Further, the virus managed to evade detection by the antivirus program and crept into the computer systems before the anti-malware product could provide the means to prevent it, the school's IT experts said.

Besides, the officials at the Board said that up-to-date antivirus was in place when the incursion happened but it apparently failed to identify the malware.

Till a solution is found for the problem, the reports state, the school is registering students and performing other tasks through paperwork.

Meanwhile, the IT specialists don't have any name to give to the virus. Also, it is understood that the virus has affected many other organizations apart from the Vancouver school board.

Related article: Virus Infects Through USB Drives

» SPAMfighter News - 1/21/2009