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ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your windows-based home and personal computers. It guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
You can download Security Essentials for free from Microsoft (Note: your PC must run genuine Windows Operating System in order to install the software). Download the Security Essentials installer to your desktop, but do not install it until reading the following important information.
Note: For a printable version of these instructions, please visit the document link below:
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Microsoft Security Essentials (document)
File Size: 182.81 kb
Removal of any current antivirus software
Prior to installing Security Essentials, it is important that you remove McAfee or any other antivirus software you currently have installed on your computer (including trial or expired versions). Having more than one antivirus program installed may cause conflicts and affect system performance.
If you have McAfee installed, you can either remove it using "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel (in Windows XP use "Add or Remove Programs" in the Control Panel) or by running the McAfee removal tool available from the NDSU Software Download Page.
Note: If you choose to use the McAfee removal tool, be sure to select the one appropriate for your operating system (32 or 64 bit). To determine your version of Windows, click on Start, right-click on "Computer" (also called My Computer), and select "Properties". In the window that appears, locate "System Type". It should list either a 32 or 64 bit operating system. This same window will also indicate the Windows version under "Windows Edition" (Windows XP, Vista, or 7).
After you have determined the version and bit number of Windows, download the appropriate removal tool and save it to your desktop. Right-click on the file and select "Run as Administrator" (in Windows XP, just double click the file). A command window (DOS window) will appear reminding you to run as administrator and warn that your computer will restart. Press any key to begin the removal process. Click Ok on any prompts displayed in reference to the McAfee removal. Your computer will restart when removal is complete.
If you are using a version of Norton Antivirus you can download their removal tool to remove their software.
Installation
To begin installing Security Essentials, right-click on the installer file you saved earlier and select "Run as Administrator" (in Windows XP, just double click the file). The installation will begin. Follow the onscreen prompts to finish installing Security Essentials.
To configure Security Essentials, open the program's control panel by double clicking on the Security Essentials icon. The icon (green castle shaped) is located in the system tray to the left of the clock. Next, select the "Settings" tab to configure the scheduled scan. Change the scan type to "Full Scan" and set the date and time to correspond with a weekly date/time when your computer is normally running.
Security Essentials is now installed and protecting your computer.
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Antivirus for Macintosh
While BSC does not endorse any particular program, free programs such as ClamXav and Sophos can provide effective protection. Please be aware that free programs do not usually come with any customer support and they can sometimes be more difficult to configure.
Note: the version of ClamXav that is available through the Mac App Store does not have all the features that are available with the version on the ClamXav site.
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Additional Antispyware Resources
You can download free antispyware programs that you can run in addition to your antivirus program to help remove an infection (unlike having multiple antivirus programs installed, having more than one antispyware program installed will not cause system issues).
PLEASE NOTE: The BSC Help Desk is not able to assist with virus removal or provide support on non-BSC owned computers due to potential liability issues such as corrupted files and data loss.
Computer Virus Information
Computer viruses, malware, spyware, fake antivirus programs, rootkits and worms continue to proliferate rapidly across the Internet. To help protect your computer and the data on it, it is essential that you have current antivirus on your computer, along with the latest Windows updates and patches to help avoid an infection.
Never open email attachments unless you know who it is from and you are expecting it. Attachments that contain viruses often have file extensions ending in BAT, CMD, PIF, SCR, EXE or ZIP. Viruses can also be disguised as attachments of or links to funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.
Another common source of infection is from visiting a website that has malicious code on it. Social Networking sites, instant messaging programs, and poisoned search engine results are common areas where virus infections can occur.
Phishing emails are also very common. A phishing email is one that often looks like it is coming from a legitimate source asking you to either respond back to them with personal information, or contains a link to an external website which takes you to a site where it asks you to enter personal information.
No reputable company would ever ask for your login, password or other personal information via email. If you receive such an email, do not respond to it - just delete it.
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