PC Virus Hits TTUHSC

TTUHSC (Texas Tech University Health Science Center) was recently struck with a PC worm in the first week of June 2010. Officials at the Center are sparing no time and effort towards having their network back to normal.

It was on June 3, 2010 when TTUHSC came across a sudden virus activity that even increased over time. The first malware was spotted and eliminated with the help anti-virus software; however, another worm penetrated resulting in widespread chaos.

With the detection of this worm, computer connections with Texas Tech, affiliate vendors and hospitals were broken off by the University. Then on June 4, 2010, it was no longer possible to access the www.ttuhsc.edu site.

Remarking about the incident, which made everyone astonished on June 4, Director for Communications and Marketing, Mary Croyle stated that possibly 24 hours had passed before it was possible to restore the institution's online activity. Members of the staff neither knew the source of the virus nor if the virus compromised confidential information, according to her. Lubbockonline.com published this on June 4, 2010.

Croyle added that the institution was evaluating the incident, determining what was damaged and the manner they could get it repaired.

Specific information associated with the event underscores that the anti-virus at the institution couldn't prevent the virus from entering. More information suggests that virus investigators employed a fresh AV solution, anticipating it would spot the worm and eliminate it.

Remarking about this approach, Vice-President for Information Technology at TTUHSC, Chip Shaw stated that the center's chief interest was to make sure its information resources were safeguarded. Kcbd.com published this on June 4, 2010.

Similar to this incident where a virus attack damaged a US University, during December 2009, a malware assault struck 3 Penn State Universities. Before that, in 2008, the Montana State University, the University of Alabama, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Michigan were similarly hit.

Thus, stated IT security specialists, universities as well as colleges were especially favorite targets for virus creators, as such institutions' research PCs had abundant valuable data along with Internet access as well as massive processing power.

Related article: PC-Virus of 2005 Threatening Japanese Bank Accountholders, Warns Symantec

» SPAMfighter News - 6/15/2010