Computer worm may pose a threat
UCLA students and other computer users could be at risk since
the Code Red worm began infecting computers nationwide on July
31.
The worm attacks computers that use the Windows NT and Windows
2000 operating systems.
John W. Dunn, an agent working for the FBI’s
cyber-protection unit, the National Infrastructure Protection
Center, said the software is designed to infect computers during
the first 20 days of the month and then bombard the White House Web
site with data packets on Aug. 20. The Bush administration
withstood a similar attack on July 20.
Computers operating under Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows
Millennium Edition are not susceptible to infection, but they could
experience the effects of slowed Internet traffic caused by the
worm.
Worms differ from computer viruses because they spread without
human involvement, Dunn said.
Victims can rid their computers of the worm by rebooting, but
they remain susceptible to infection.
Applying a free patch available on Microsoft’s and other
Web sites protects vulnerable operating systems and NIPC
preliminary statistics show that it lessens the impact of the
worm.
Cockroaches close local restaurant
After the second cockroach infestation within a four-month
period, a Westwood restaurant has been shut down.
First Szechuan Wok, located on 10855 Lindbrook Dr., had their
license revoked July 31 after a routine health inspection. They
received a score of 84 but one of the offenses included vermin
infestation, according to the Los Angeles County Department of
Health Services.
Cockroaches, in various stages of life, were found in the
kitchen, dishwashing and waiting area and behind the food
preparation table, said Terrence Powell, chief environmental health
specialist of the environmental health department.
The owner could not be reached for contact, but the
restaurant’s answering machine message said they are closed
for “kitchen remodeling.”
“It’s an unsafe situation without question,”
Powell said, which is why they decided to shut down the business
after a history of health code violations.
On March 12 of this year, First Szechuan Wok closed for three
days after their license was suspended due to cockroaches.
“It is particularly irresponsible of the operator to not
take effective action,” Powell said.
The restaurant may not open until it is brought up to current
standards , which can be costly, and Powell is not aware of the
owner’s reopening intentions.
Two departments to close next week
While the anthropology and sociology department offices are
still moving from Hershey to Haines Hall, there will be no access
to these offices from Friday, Aug. 3, after 5 p.m. to Tuesday, Aug.
14 at 9 a.m.
The anthropology office will reopen in 341 Haines Hall, and the
sociology office will reopen in 264.
During this closure, general questions regarding Summer Sessions
may be directed to the Summer Sessions Office at 1147 Murphy
Hall.
Students may also reach Summer Sessions by phone at (310)
794-8333, or by e-mail at info@summer.ucla.edu. Questions about
specific courses will be answered by the instructor in class.
Remaining trees to be cut down
From Aug. 6 to Aug. 11, the university will cut down the last of
the viminalis eucalyptus trees on Sunset Boulevard from the
University Elementary School to Royce Drive.
In June, the university cut down 50 other eucalyptus trees on
Westwood Boulevard.
Reports by two arborists from independent companies a few months
ago said that the trees were decaying on the inside and were in
danger of falling down.
Several trees have already fallen down, one of them hitting a
car, said assistant vice chancellor of facilities management Jack
Powazek. A few weeks ago, a large branch fell down directly in
front of the entrance to the University Elementary School, said
executive director of local government and community relations
Diana Brueggemann.
Eucalyptus trees around Los Angeles are suffering from a viral
disease called lerp psylid, Brueggemann said.
According to arborist Bob Hansen, the trees got sick because the
soil level over the roots have changed over the years from changes
in the environment. He added the eucaplytus trees were not planted
properly the first time.
Other trees had to be taken down in front of the Graduate
Student Housing site but the university will transplant some of
those trees at a cost of $12,000 per tree to replace some of the
eucalyptus trees that are being cut down.
Reports from Daily Bruin staff and wire services.