University Technology Services received 12 reports of on-campus problems regarding the Chernobyl computer virus, which infected machines on April 26, the anniversary of the 1986 Russian nuclear disaster.Bob Kalal, associate director of UTS, said the Chernobyl virus, which infects Windows 95 and Windows 98 programs, spreads by downloading infected files.The Chernobyl virus affects the computers in two different ways, Kalal said.”It attempts to modify your basic computer operation system,” he said, “which is why it won’t start.”Kalal also said the virus will write over one megabyte of hard drive space with random data.”If it’s in your computer’s memory, it will infect all files until it goes off,” he said.According to the AntiVirus Research Center web site (www.symantec.com/avcenter/), the Chernobyl virus activates on April and June 26. Other variants of the virus spread on the 26th day of every month.The Underground, OSU’s student-run radio station, was affected by the Chernobyl virus as the clock turned to midnight on Apr. 26.Joe Atzberger, general manager for The Underground, said he was trying to update the station’s web page when it happened.”Once I realized what was going on with the first computer, I tried to open Norton AntiVirus program and that’s when it decided to kick out on me,” Atzberger said. “It said ‘Operating system not found’ and I’m a computer and information science minor so I know that’s bad news.”Ernesto Machado, business director of The Underground, said two of their three office computers were infected.The third machine maintained the station’s web site and was not touched by the virus.The studio computer, which the disc jockeys use to check requests and respond to e-mail was also unaffected.”Operations are still running,” Machado said.One of the computers has been repaired, he said.”It took two hours and cost $55,” Machado said. Machado said he wasn’t sure how much the other one would cost to repair, since it was no longer under warranty.There are ways to safeguard your computer from this and other viruses, Kalal said.Kalal said OSU offers free anti-virus software from its web site. The address is http//:www.osu.edu/units/uts/publications/upgrades/sgt2win95.html.”The best way to avoid a virus is to get the software, install it and keep it upgraded,” he said. “Scan for it before it goes off.”Kalal said he scans his computer for viruses once a week.”It’s probably more than most people need,” he said. “But I’m careful.”