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Wednesday, October 15, 2008 • JANESVILLE, WI
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Five weeks for school computer fix
By FRANK SCHULTZ ( Contact ) Wednesday, Oct. 15, is limewire safe from virus 2008
EMAIL COMMENTS PRINT
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JANESVILLE — Completely fixing the Janesville School District’s my funnies virus virus-damaged computer system will take at least five more weeks, business director Doug Bunton told the school board Tuesday.
District employees have dealt with computer outages and have been unable to access important computer programs for about four weeks already, Bunton said.
Bunton’s comments came after board members questioned him about an article in Monday’s Janesville Gazette.
A teacher had complained to the newspaper, prompting the article.
“I want teachers to know they can come to the board instead of to the press because we certainly will take them seriously,” board member Lori Stottler said.
Bunton said he knows the outages are “a tremendous
Removing Virus burden” for all staff members.
The problem is that the virus attacked the district’s 80 servers, and it takes a long time to rebuild those servers, Bunton said.
The servers tell the individual PCs how to access printers, the Internet and various programs, Bunton said, and that function has been disrupted.
Bunton said about 75 percent of the system was running Tuesday, and the extent of the problems varied from place to place.
Board President DuWayne Severson asked Bunton to provide the board updates on the problem at each board meeting. Meetings are held twice a month.
Severson asked that Bunton’s next report include a description of the additional workers brought in to what are virus porteins good work linux virus on the system and a diagram showing how the system works.
Once the fix is complete, Bunton said, the district must upgrade its computer defenses.
One improvement would list of computer virus be to install Internet security filters at various points in the system and not virus using up system resources just around its perimeter, he said.
Severson commended the work being done without the aid of computers. Children are getting a good education despite the problems, he said.
Stottler also noted that the district’s Web site, which has been inaccessible for several weeks, now contains out-of-date information, and other information is
Free Norton Antivirus Virus Definition missing. She asked that the administration give top priority to redesigning the Web site.
Sheryl Miller, district information coordinator, said workers have replaced missing information on the Web virus removal help site, only to have it disappear.
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reader COMMENTS (38)
billnewbie
Oct 15, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
I suspect that somewhere in Janesville, some under-disciplined, under-achieving (in everything but his computer) Janesville School District student is very self-satisfied and endlessly amused while savoring every word generated by the Gazette and those that comment here.
bh2875
Oct 15, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's also possible they thought they had backups, but never ran a DR test so they never knew they were bad. It's the old IT story of the company that dutifully made it's backups everyday. Then one day they needed to restore and discovered all their backup files were blank. A backup alone is not enough. You have to test the process from free anti virus software for vista time to time.
ammfrm
Oct 15, 2008 at 3:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
fbcoach- WOW, if this is all caused because the backups were pitched??? then I'd say that person should not have a job anymore. ALL the backups pitched?
game virus buster We keep the current day offsite and the rest of the daily backups in a safe with our monthly backups kept offsite. So if they don't have at least some kind of system (or even if they do have this kind of system) and all backups were gone, then that person does not deserve to be in IT anymore.
It's a shame that you have to spend your own time to do work that should be done while "at work".
bh2875
Oct 15, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Is it possible this is the result of palm pda virus having to continually cut the district budgets? I live in Madison (raised in Janesville) and I know every year they constantly try to muscular virus decide what to cut from the budget to keep the taxes in line with the state law. This year we have a referendum on exceeding those state imposed limits and I suspect it will not pass. With this economy how could it?
In any case, this really sounds like a huge fubar from the start. Why haven't they restored from a good back-up? I wonder if they've never run a disaster recovery drill before. Or are they putting too little importance on the problem? Something doesn't seem right about 5 weeks to recover from a problem of this magnitude.
chicagoismyfriend
Oct 15, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Good luck if your able to get your teaching files back.
fbcoach66
Oct 15, 2008 at 2:53 p.m.
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I'm sitting here at Craig human pathiloma virus HS. Thought I'd try to get on Skyward because 75% of the system is fixed. Couldn't get on, so I'll have to try to do my grades from home. Why can I enter my grades from home but not school? I'd love to know.
*****
We also have a district server that avm free virus contains ALL my lessons that I have developed over the years. ebola virus originaion I STILL cannot access it as I haven't been able to for the last 3 weeks. I have a personal back up of some, but not others. So, I'm remaking everything I teach for the last 3 weeks. Am
avg anti virus freeware I getting by? Yes. Is it as good as everything I anti virus software free download have polished and perfected over the years? Absolute not, so kids suffer
****
We have had almost ZERO communication from the ESC as to what is
top computer virus detection software going on, when it will be fixed, what the problem is etc. etc. etc.
Supposedly communication is one of the main Studer points, I guess they ignore that when it suits them. Am I frustrated? Darn right I am!!
****
I would rather have them shut down the entire system for 2 days and say no computers at all until Monday but then we'll be back up full than go 5 weeks with this mess. What is going to picture of std herpes virus happen when the quarter ends in 3 weeks and we still can't put in grades?
****
Lunch room rumor (note I told you its a rumor) has it that they had NO backups of skyward or other vital programs because the new head of frre anti virus download IT through them out during the transition. I sure hope Mr. Bunton or one of the school board members looks into this.
****
To those who complain, I'll more than make up the 5 minutes of "clock time" I spent typing this re-creating Thursday and Friday's lessons (that the district lost)tonight on my own time at home. For the record:
NOTHING IS BETTER AT CRAIG HIGH SCHOOL AS OF WEDNESDAY!!!!
joeflint
Oct 15, 2008 at 2:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Apparently they do not have any backups... it should take less than a day to completely wipe a server's hard drives and install from a known good backup. This is beyond ridiculous.
gmretirednow
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
As a person related to someone outerinfo virus who has done computer work and sales and repair for 17 years, you are darn right that even 8 hours is too long to be down. Time to revamp the IT department I would say. Put in good virus programs and run them every day if necessary!!
ammfrm
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'm floored. I'm an IT person as well storage protector virus and I know how long it takes to redo a server. While I realize they have 80 to deal with,
what is the dna virus
another 5 weeks??? I wonder if the board's lack of IT understanding norton computer virus protection is
Coxackie Virus why they are so acceptable to an additional 5 weeks to fix the problem. As someone else mentioned, I can't afford any downtime and have to schedule downtime after 10pm or on Sundays. Heck- I had a lighting strike that took out the server, router, switch, cable modem, 3 pcs and 7 monitors- I had everything back up in 4 hours (with the exception of the damaged pcs). How so quick? because I was prepared and had plan in place for recovery. I have had a virus situation once before on a bigger network free microsoft virus protection than the one I'm on now and we still had our 4 servers+ 200pcs cleared within a day. All because we had plans in place.
I don't know how you can have 4 weeks with no resolution let alone another 5 weeks.
jtmek
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Stottler wants school staff and parents to come to the school board instead of the press???? I don't think so. At least in the paper, the community gets to find out what incompetence is going on in the school district. Doug Bunton should have been reporting this fiasco to the school board all along.
As for the IT staff, other than the newly hired top IT person all they can do is try and clean up the mess their boss
epstein barr virus pictures rash caused when he came barreling in the district and started changing things up without taking the time to really study the school districts computer system.
Would this be happening in any large corporate business? Of course not!
janesvillean
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is utterly free vista virus software preposterous. I've noted before that I've worked in corporate IT for Fortune 100 companies, and even eight days of continuous downtime would be impossible to contemplate. Eight weeks would put them out of business. I'm left speechless.
peppermeister
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:11 p.m.
Suggest
Virus Immunity removal
Anything over virus removal protection 1 day for that many servers is uncacceptable. When a virus hit the company I work for, with over 100 locations and servers globally, our system was disrupted for less than half a day.
It does seem that the District's IT department is in over it's head, and the experts that they have brought in to help may be over theirs as well.
This would NEVER happen in the business world. Maybe Mr. Studer can help out in IT, too!
PabloGannador
Oct 15, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
Suggest
virus protection software ratings
removal
Why would the Government IT people be in a hurry to fix a problem that their
Flu Burung Virus Definition jobs depend on? They have no incentive to fix anything timely or protect against these things. It is not like others here in mention where they are accountable to a profit center like a business is. Everything government does it does this way. This incident will likely give them a bigger budget and a larger staff to do nothing with. Contract it out to a firm who is responsible to a budget, let the free market and profit driven incentives fix this issue once and for all.
tippiwoo
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
If they had a good IT staff, not even great, epstein-barr virus GOOD, this would never happen.
I work in IT and I can guarantee any of our systems are down longer than 24 hours, I've got some 'splaining to do.....
twistedstorm
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
http://digg.com/security/School_district... digg it the world should know about this
tjncj
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Janesville66-Why did they write this story in the first place? Because it is news. If I was the reporter the question on loss of data would be one of the first questions I
Pictures Of Computer Virus would ask. This issue had largemouth bass virus effects been swept under the rug until a teacher went to the Gazette. Again, I plan on going to the teachers and the administration with my questions, but why isn't the district or school board addressing the situation? If it didn't happen let us know. A good guess is they might not know if anything was lost.
frusion
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
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andiwonderwhy....1 week? Where I work this would have never happened in the first place, but heads would roll life is beautiful virus at 1 hour of downtime. We can't even schedule a planned 1/2 hour of downtime in the middle of the day. Any planned downtime takes place on Sunday.
rep_of_1
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Seems to me if sensitive information is in breech than god forbid we keep files on paper it the stuff made from pulp. Anybody remember this stuff we call paper? It puts people to work in forestry and mills...or we spend money in IT and put people to work in jobs that have no resource produced just crusie ship virus fear of security. Take the good with the bad I guess.
simon
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
There definitely needs to be a change in leadership and a new head of the IT department brought in--this guy is obviously in WAY over his head.
andiwonderwhy
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
First off: this should not have happened, so why did it and then prevent it from happening again.
Secondly: Why is this taking so long to fix? If this was a business or corporation this would have been fixed probably within a week. If it is taking so long, maybe the should fire the current people and hire some of the students to fix it....they would probably have it fixed within a few days.
twistedstorm
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
They do not want to be forced to pay for Identity theft protection for it's students and staff. If they can free full virus protection somehow hide this under the rug.
frusion
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
as I said... other opinions and that is what confuses the layperson. :)
twistedstorm
Oct 15, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'd be worried that student and employee information has been explioted to sources that shouldn't of had access What the district doesnt tell you is that if a virus gets in depending on the type of virus it can relay back information to other computers in the world for illegal purposes.
rekab13
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
ame8736 - There is no product which is best for everyone, much the same as there is not a home security system that is best for all homes. To choose the correct program you must take several factors into consideration. Things like: its processor (CPU), amount of memory (RAM), internet usage, amount of time you are willing to spend to keep the system protected, etc. It is always best to speak with an expert; www.YourOwnHelpDesk.com is a local company that primarily sells their services and advice, not hardware and software.
All of that being said, Kaspersky, BitDefender and Norton are at the top of most lists.
frusion
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
ame8736, you will find a million opinions on the best virus software. I have used them all--literally. This is the best I have found for your home: http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-vi.... It is free and they send out updates almost daily. I have found applications such as Norton are very resource intensive (they slow your system down). I know there will be other people that will disagree with me, but this is my personal experience. I've worked with computers for 20 years. (Yes, I'm a dinosaur). Also, for your home, you should also be using both Spybot AND AdAware and you will be golden.
Janesville66
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:49 free virus pertection a.m.
Suggest removal
Why does the gazette have to do the investagating, some comments just crack me up. if you want to know if personal info has been taken you would think you would call your self and find out if you were so concerned
tjncj
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sorry, 8 weeks to address this issue is about 7 1/2 weeks too long. How did it happen in the first place? I haven't heard of any super virus infecting any other businesses or schools in this time period. I would like to get some assurance from our school that there hasn't been a loss of personal data on the school districts students as well. More investigation is needed computer virus list by the Gazette.
StaceyU2
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
If any of you have any computer sense at all you will understand that it takes time to fix one of these issues, (not to mention that the JSD has 80 of them)..
even the best Security software available has FLAWS.
Not everything is 100% fool proof... If they would not just rely on PC's and broaden their OS Platforms, they could reduce (not eliminate) virus attacks. I use to be a RELIGIOUS PC user, but after having to rebuild my home network several times.. I went out (after some research) and Bought an MACINTOSH, did it solve my problems??? almost all of them ,, The only thing I have issues with "Apple" programs are ...not enough of them,, My daughters have my old PC's and I still have to use them occasionally to do some parvo virus puppies humans symptomns programs... WITH ADDED SECURITY programs.. (by the way, my MAC has yet to be infected)
tjncj
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
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Actually I am contacting the teachers. I thought it was a good question for other parents to consider so I posed it rhetorically.
tjncj
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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Their phone doesn't work.
justintimberlakerules
Oct 15, 2008 at 11:03
buddy virus a.m.
Suggest removal
tjncj - why trend micro virus scan are you asking the gazette and people on a gazette discussion board about mid-term grades that were just sent out. Wouldn't it make more sense to call your childs teachers and find out directly from the source.
timbo66
Oct 15, 2008 at 10:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
ame8736,
Not to worry, just make sure your computers, including servers are running virus protect.
Any is better than none and make sure virus trojan that the virus definitions are updated regularly, daily works for me.
sweet_79
Oct 15, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
IT people make good money
thediplomat
Oct 15, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Now that is a pretty sad
free downloadable virus protection
I.T. department if it is going to take that long to get them back up. Of course that is what you get when pay so little.
simon
Oct 15, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Don't believe the district when it says this is NOT affecting classes. That is NOT
Virus Informatiques true! What about computer classes free mcafee virus protection that rely on files on the network? The grades are absolutely NOT up to date because my kids teachers do not want to put in grades at home since they have not been assured they won't get the virus there. The adminstration has not been forthcoming with information until the teacher at Craig finally spoke
vpn firewall virus security up. Now, Ms. Stottler doesn't like the way the board handled Evert's retirement...well, that's what the members of each school have felt for a long time. The people that should know don't or aren't involved norwalk virus treatment in decision or updates.
badgerboy
Oct 15, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Has the question been asked if the virus was accidentally introduced to their system, or was it maliciously introduced?
tjncj
Oct 15, 2008 at 9:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
So are the grades
how is papolidema virus transmitted in the system that parents have access to updated and correct? How about mid-term grades mailedout recently? I have the feeling they may not reflect current status if teachers are waiting to input them in the computer system. Can someone address these questions?
ame8736
Oct 15, 2008 at 9:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
If a virus can knock out this big of a computer system what hope does the general public have in not getting a virus. And which virus protection is the best one? We have heard that McAee is best. others say Norton. mcafee free virus scan Who are you to listen to
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