CDC's new epidemic: An investigation into awareness, attitudes, actions, and knowledge of computer viruses among students utilizing campus computer labs

Students on college campuses play an important role in the spread of computer viruses. While viruses negatively impact campuses alike, small institutions are hardest hit. With limited funding sources some institutions are challenged with ensuring the continued operation of day-to-day activities, with little attention spent on educating students about how to eradicate the spread of these viruses. Our findings suggest students on small college campuses with the attitude that losing data is important tend to have knowledge that e-mail is a means of spreading computer viruses, and ultimately take appropriate actions in backing up their diskettes. Unfortunately, those students who believe that computer viruses are their responsibility lack both specific understanding of these viruses and tend not to take appropriate steps after encountering them to inform the appropriate support staff. This research suggests the need for "Computer Virus 101" training for students as an integral part of the orientation process.