OIT has seen a number of student computers that were infected with a virus that was transmitted via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). There are known viruses for all Instant Message protocols (ICQ, MSN, Yahoo!, AIM, Google, Jabber, etc).

You should be wary of clicking on links in profiles and instant messages (IMs), even from people that you know.

Once a computer is infected with an IM virus, that computer will seek to infect others. It may send Instant Messages to everyone on your buddy list which include a Web page link. This link will then infect the recipient with the virus if they click on the link.

For more information, see:

AIM Virus Symptoms
Common Symptoms of computers infected with this AIM Virus.

Tips for IM Safety
Tips on how to avoid Trojans and viruses sent through Instant Messenger programs.

AIM: Virus/Trojan Help or AIM Fix
The following links are instructions on how to fix your computer if you are infected with an AIM virus. Please DO NOT attempt this if you are not comfortable doing so. Contact a computer professional at once.

Please call the OIT Help Desk if you need assistance, we are available at ext. 2910 or via web form: http://ithelp.indstate.edu/get-help-online.html