MSU students might want to lock their doors, board up their windows and take cover. No, it's not a hurricane - it's yet another computer virus attack.

Despite being compared to Hurricane Isabel, the new string of viruses should not come as a surprise to anyone.

We live in an era when computer viruses aren't really news anymore - they're a fact of life.

On Thursday, the MSU Computer Laboratory issued an e-mail to students and faculty warning that another "virus storm" might soon be wreaking havoc on campus network computers.

"Just as people on the Atlantic coast boarded up their windows in anticipation of Hurricane Isabel, everyone at MSU who uses a Windows computer needs to take action immediately," the e-mail stated in its opening lines.

Because so much of society revolves around information technology, the implications of another computer virus extend far beyond temporarily suspending access to Instant Messenger.

According to a security scan by laboratory staff, about 5,000 computers on the campus network are vulnerable to another string of viruses or worms.

About 3,000 of those computers are in residence halls.

Numbers such as these might make students consider backing up their work the old way - with paper and a pen.

Rich Wiggins, an MSU senior information technologist, said the arrival of more computer viruses is only a matter of time.

There is no excuse not to take the precautions advised by the staff at the MSU Computer Laboratory.

Granted, beefing up computer security isn't high on everyone's fun list, but it should be made a priority nonetheless.

The procedures for updating a system are not difficult and are worth every Windows user's time in the long run.

Systems said to be affected by the vulnerability include Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Wiggins said about 93 percent of computers on the campus network are Windows-based.

Students and faculty should heed the warnings of the computer lab staff and do everything they can to protect their PCs.

Installing software and getting updates might take a little effort but will cause everyone less trouble in the long run. Information on how to do all this is readily available on the Internet.

The university has taken steps and should continue to take steps to inform network users when the possibility of another attack threatens.

In turn, users should cooperate by following advice and taking care of their investments.

Most of the world depends on technology nowadays, and, unfortunately, computer viruses will occur.

Don't throw in the towel yet - just update your PC's "boxing gloves" and get ready for another round.

But make sure to keep a pencil and paper handy, just in case.