IT heroes

My computer got a virus over the weekend. No, it was not from downloading attachments or anything that IT people tend to warn professors not to do (those of you who went to grad school with me know who and what I'm talking about). But it started opening up lots of internet explorer windows and setting of anti-virus alarms. I cleaned the virus and deleted temporary files, but that didn't fix the problem. The IT person for my department spent the better part of the day on my computer today and described this as a particularly nasty trojan. Apparently, it was designed to corrupt any anti-virus files that could be downloaded to fix it. Just like antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, it was resistant to all but the most forceful efforts to remove it. I was worried when the IT person said he was trying "Plan C" but, in the end, he was able to remove the problems without any damage to my files. Whew! With the NCA deadline looming, I was chewing my fingernails to the bone, but no problems. Hurray for IT people!!!

I got a little bit behind on NCA papers Friday, but I was able to catch up over the weekend (despite the virus). I have a lot of work to do, but I'm on my way.