9 PCs of Middle Schools in Hita City were infected by Virus Computer

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on April 11, 2008)

According to Hita City’s educational information center, the fact that ‘9 computers of Toubu Middle School and Tsue Middle School have been infected by virus computer’ was reported on April 11 without the confirmation about the outflow of personal information.

Now persons in charge of school computers from 44 schools (both elementary and middle) inside the area of Hita are being called.

The fact was firstly found on April 9 in the afternoon by an official, who looked after the security system of Toubu Middle School’s computers, that a public computer was being infected a virus called “Wooden Horse of Troy (Trojan Horse).”

After checking every computer of the school later, it revealed that 7 personal computers used for printing document were also infected the same virus.

When checking computers from other schools was operated, we knew that one more public computer of Tsue Middle School was being infected by another virus. 

“I am really sorry for what happened. I want to clean up the viruses as soon as possible, and then strengthen the security system” said a superintendent of education.

Comment: This kind of situation can happen easily whenever users are unaware because viruses are looking forward to hacking to our computers. However, the interesting thing is that Japanese people seem really worried about the outflow of personal information, much more than Thai people. I think this is because there are more clever thieves who can make use of other people’s personal information in Japan.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS３, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University